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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Gatchalian's leadership is what Palace recognizes — Castro

Gatchalian's leadership is what Palace recognizes — Castro

Marcos inclined to call for a special session if requested

Published Jun 4, 2026 02:46 pm
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro | Senator Sherwin Gatchalian (MANILA BULLETIN)
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro | Senator Sherwin Gatchalian (MANILA BULLETIN)
Despite the current leadership dispute in the Senate, Malacañang said it will recognize the leadership of Senate President pro tempore Sherwin Gatchalian.
Whatever message Gatchalian relays to Malacañang will be the version it will acknowledge, Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said on Thursday, June 4, a day after the new Senate majority installed Gatchalian as acting Senate President.
Castro said the Senate must resolve the dispute internally, but for now, Palace is more inclined to recognize Gatchalian's leadership, reiterating its earlier statement, respecting the decision of the new Senate majority.
"Unang-una iyong internal problems ng Senado dapat sila muna ang mag-sort out nito. Sila ang mag-settle ng anumang issues kinapapalooban ng Senado (First and foremost, the Senate's internal problems are something that its members should sort out among themselves. They should settle whatever issues exist within the Senate)," Castro said in a Palace briefing.
"But as far as the Palace is concerned, kinilala na po natin ang liderato ni acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian. So, kung anuman po ang kanyang ibibigay na mensahe sa ehekutibo, iyon po ang ating kilalanin (we have already recognized the leadership of acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian. So, whatever message he conveys to the Executive branch is what we will recognize)," Castro declared.
Citing the case of Avellino versus Cuenco, Malacañang is "simply acting in accordance with jurisprudence, the law, and the rule of law" in recognizing the leadership of Gatchalian.
"[A]ng kinikilala ng Palasyo ang liderato ni Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian (The Palace recognizes the leadership of acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian)," Castro said.
"At ito ay base sa Avelino versus Cuenco case, at ito rin ang ginawa sa panahon ni Senator Franklin Drilon noong 2015. So, tayo naman ay umaayon lamang din sa jurisprudence, sa batas at sa rule of law (This is based on the Avelino versus Cuenco case, and it is also consistent with what was done during Senator Franklin Drilon's tenure in 2015. For our part, we are simply adhering to jurisprudence, the law, and the rule of law)," Castro added.

Special session

President Marcos is open to calling for a special session if the Senate requests it.
"Well, anyway, ganito iyan ‘no, sabi nila, sila ang magre-request for special session (they said they will request for special session). So, as soon as the new leadership will send the official request for special session address to the President. Then the President will act immediately on that," Castro said.
Gatchalian earlier said senators are studying the possibility of holding a special session to act on pending bills and on appointments delayed by the recent leadership impasse in the upper chamber.
"Yes, opo, inclined ang Presidente na mag—to give in to the official request for the special session (Yes, the President is inclined to give in to the official request for the special session)," Castro said.
According to the Palace official, Marcos is open for a special session, considering the measures and priorities that are delayed due to the developments in the Senate.
"Hindi po nais ng Pangulo na magkaroon ng pag-antala sa trabaho ng Senado (The President does not want the work of the Senate to be disrupted or delayed)," Castro said.
"Provided lamang po ang official request ay dapat po rin kinapapalooban ng valid grounds for the calling of a special session (However, any official request must be supported by valid grounds for calling a special session)," Castro added.

Related Tags

President Marcos Sherwin Gatchalian Senate Senate leadership Claire Castro
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