Malacañang said the ongoing leadership dispute in the Senate cannot be characterized as a "constitutional crisis," reiterating that the Palace only recognizes the leadership of acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian.

"Sa mata po ng Malacañang, sa mata po ng Ehekutibo, wala po tayong matatawag na constitutional crisis (From the perspective of Malacañang and the Executive Branch, there is no such thing as a constitutional crisis)," Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a Palace briefing on Tuesday, June 9.

"Maliwanag po ang sinabi, ang sinusuportahan po at ang niri-recognize na liderato ay ang liderato po ni Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian (The position is clear: the leadership that we support and recognize is that of acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian)," Castro added.

The Palace official further said that whoever has been recognized should already be accepted by the other side.

"Kaya nga po diyan magkakaroon ng problema, hindi sa parte ng Ehekutibo kung hindi sa parte ng Senado so hindi po sila dapat nagkakaroon ng anumang gulo diyan. Kung sino po ang ni-recognize, dapat matanggap na po ng kabilang panig (That is precisely where the problem could arise, not on the part of the Executive Branch, but on the part of the Senate. Therefore, there should not be any dispute or conflict over the matter. Whoever has been recognized should be accepted by the other side)," Castro said.

The Palace mouthpiece also refuted the statement made by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano that there are two upper chambers in the country—the Senate of the Philippines and the Senate of Malacañang.

Castro said there is only one Senate and it is led by Gatchalian.

"The President said, there’s only one upper chamber, and it is the Senate of the Philippines led by acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian," Castro said.

Castro pointed out anew that there is a separation of powers between the Executive and the Legislative branches.

The President also tagged Cayetano's remarks as fake news, and should "cease and desist."

"Ito po ang sabi ng Pangulo (This is what the President said): Fake news is flying around. Those into it should cease and desist," Castro said.

The request for a special session to resolve the ongoing leadership row in the Senate is being finalized, Castro said.

But the President wants the Senate to settle the issue among themselves first.

"Sa ngayon po ay pina-finalize pa po pero ang gusto po ng Pangulo ay mauna ang Senado na magkasundo dahil kahit sabihin natin na mayroong hiling ang Pangulo para sa isang special session, kung sila mismo po ay hindi magkakasundo, mababale-wala po ang naisin ng Pangulo (At this time, the matter is still being finalized. However, what the President wants is for the Senate to first reach an agreement among themselves. Because even if we say that the President is requesting a special session, if they themselves cannot come to an agreement, the President’s wishes would be rendered meaningless)," Castro said.

"Dapat ayusin po nila ang Senado para… ito naman ay para sa taumbayan, hindi pangsarili. So, unahin muna nilang maayos ang kanilang mga sigalot at ang kanilang mga isyu sa Senado (They should first put their affairs in order in the Senate because this is for the benefit of the people, not for personal interests. Therefore, they should first resolve their disputes and issues within the Senate)," Castro added.

Castro also said that while it may be a good suggestion for the President to step in and mediate amid the Senate gridlock, it would only be futile if one party remains "stubborn."

"Gustuhin man po ng Pangulo, pero ang isang tao ay magmamatigas, sagot na po niya ito sa publiko, sagot na po niya ito sa taumbayan dahil dito sa gulong ito, marami pong nabibinbin na bills, maraming nabibinbin na resolutions, marami pong nabibinbin na trabaho sa Senado (Even if the President wanted to intervene, if a person remains stubborn, then he must answer to the public and to the people for it. Because of this dispute, many bills are being delayed, many resolutions remain pending, and a great deal of work in the Senate is being held up)," Castro stressed.