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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Gatchalian open to talks with Cayetano-led bloc

Gatchalian open to talks with Cayetano-led bloc

Published Jun 7, 2026 01:17 pm

At A Glance

  • Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian reiterated he is open to holding dialogues with both the majority and minority bloc despite their differences in opinions and to resolve the impasse.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano (left), Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian (Facebook)
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano (left), Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian (Facebook)

Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said on Sunday, June 7 that he is open to a dialogue with the camp of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano in order for the Senate to function and move forward despite the tension and chaos in the Upper Chamber recently. 

In an interview on Radio DZBB, Gatchalian reiterated he is open to talking with both the majority and minority bloc despite their differences in opinions and to resolve the impasse.

“If you remember, I said, I’m open to all senators. As I’ve said, majority, minority, I will talk to everyone. In fact, with the minority, many of them are my personal friends. I’ve known them for a long time. That’s why I’m open to it,” Gatchalian said in Filipino during the interview. 

“I also know, even Sen. Alan wants what is best for the country,” he added.

Asked how the meeting will materialize, Gatchalian said he will speak personally with Cayetano. 

“Maybe we’ll just discuss it ourselves how we will have the meeting because we’ve known each other for a long time. So we will just do something to make it happen,” he said. 

“We hope there’s a way, because I know all of us want the same thing, we want to work. So that’s our prayer and hope,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, again, took a swipe against Cayetano saying his penchant for livestreaming - including running the Senate via Facebook Live - reflects his weakness on both the law and the facts.

Lacson also dismissed Cayetano’s latest claims that he connived with Malacanang to pin the flood control scandal on certain personalities while covering up for others.

He pointed to the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan’s validation of the Blue Ribbon Committee findings during his tenure.

“The Executive Department, House of Representatives, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, law deans, law professors, former Senate presidents and many others do not recognize Senator Alan Cayetano as the President of the Senate. So, what is he?” Lacson said on X.

https://x.com/iampinglacson/status/2063412878858949027

“When you’re strong on the law, pound the law. When you’re strong on the facts, pound the facts. When you’re weak on both… — mag-Facebook Live ka na lang,” he added.

https://x.com/iampinglacson/status/2063420250927075485

Related Tags

Sherwin Gatchalian Senate leadership change Alan Cayetano Ping Lacson
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