President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. publicly recognized Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as the leader of the Senate during the country's 128th Independence Day celebration on Friday, June 12, signaling Malacañang's strongest public endorsement yet of the chamber's new leadership.

Speaking before government officials and foreign dignitaries at the Independence Day rites in Rizal Park, Marcos referred to Gatchalian as "Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian" while acknowledging attendees before delivering his speech.

“House Speaker Faustino Dy and the honorable members of the House of Representatives; Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian,” Marcos said.

The acknowledgment came amid an ongoing dispute over the Senate's leadership following a dramatic reorganization of the chamber earlier this month.

Gatchalian was among the officials present during the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies at the Rizal Monument. He also exchanged a handshake with the President during the event.

During his Independence Day speech, Marcos underscored the importance of unity and putting the country's interests above personal agendas.

“Ang ating kasaysayan ay nagturo sa atin na sa pag-kakaisa lamang makakamit ang kasarinlan; na ang tunay na mga pinuno ay yaong nagsasakripisyo ng sariling interes para sa ikabubuti ng bayan; na ang kalayaan ay dapat inaalagaan (Our history has taught us that only through unity can independence be achieved; that true leaders are those who sacrifice personal interests for the good of the nation; and that freedom must always be safeguarded),” Marcos said.

Marcos noted that many challenges continue to threaten freedom and progress, including corruption, division, and poverty.

Despite these challenges, he urged Filipinos to prioritize the common good. “Piliin natin ang ikabubuti ng bayan laban sa interes ng iilan (Let us choose the welfare of the nation over the interests of the few),” Marcos said.

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The public recognition marks the first time Marcos has formally acknowledged Gatchalian's leadership role since the Senate leadership shake-up on June 3.

The controversy began when 12 senators, composed of the then-minority bloc and Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero, convened a Senate session and declared a quorum based on the Supreme Court's 1949 ruling in Avelino v. Cuenco.

The senators subsequently declared all Senate leadership positions vacant, including the Senate presidency. Gatchalian was elected Senate president pro tempore and was later recognized by participating senators as acting Senate president.

Since then, Malacañang has consistently maintained that it recognizes only Gatchalian's leadership.

Earlier, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Executive branch would coordinate exclusively with the Gatchalian-led Senate leadership. She also dismissed concerns that the Senate leadership dispute could trigger a constitutional crisis.

Despite the Palace's position, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has continued to assert that he remains the chamber's “legitimate, legal, moral Senate president.”

Marcos' public acknowledgment of Gatchalian during a major national event is expected to further reinforce the administration's position on the Senate leadership dispute as competing claims over the chamber's top post persist.