Malacañang has congratulated Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian after he formally assumed the Senate presidency, as it urged lawmakers to immediately act on priority measures of the Marcos administration.

In a statement, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Claire Castro said President Marcos wants Congress to focus on passing key legislative measures that would strengthen and expand government assistance to Filipinos.

“Pinapahatid ng Palasyo ang pagbati sa bagong halal na Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian (The Palace extends its congratulations to newly elected Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian),” Castro said on Wednesday, June 17.

“Pasasalamat sa House of Representatives sa pamumuno ni Speaker Bodjie Dy at sa mayorya sa Senado na handa nang gumanap sa kanilang tungkulin (Our thanks to the House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Bodjie Dy and to the Senate majority that is now ready to perform its duties),” she added.

Castro said President Marcos remains focused on ensuring the prompt delivery of government services through the enactment of priority legislation.

“Alam natin ang hangad ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.—mabilis at maayos na paglilingkod para sa taumbayan (We know President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s aspiration is swift and orderly service to the people),” she said.

“Ang mga priority legislative bills ay dapat nang maisabatas para lalo pang mapagtibay at mapalawak ang tulong ng pamahalaan sa ating mga kababayan (The priority legislative bills must now be enacted to further strengthen and expand government assistance to our countrymen),” she added.

Gatchalian formally became Senate President on June 17 after securing the support of the majority bloc, ending weeks of uncertainty in the chamber's leadership.

Former Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III was elected Senate President Pro Tempore, while Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri retained his post as Majority Leader. Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who had earlier claimed the Senate presidency, conceded after acknowledging that the Gatchalian bloc already had the numbers.

Cayetano said he was accepting the outcome because “the numbers are there,” effectively ending the leadership dispute that had roiled the Senate in recent weeks.

The Palace had already recognized Gatchalian's leadership even before his formal election.

During the Independence Day rites last week, President Marcos publicly acknowledged Gatchalian as the Senate's leader by addressing him as “Senate President Pro Tem Sherwin Gatchalian” during his speech.

Earlier, Castro had said the Executive branch recognized only Gatchalian's leadership and would coordinate with his bloc on legislative matters, including the special session called by the President.

The Palace's statement came as Congress convened in a special session called by President Marcos to act on pending priority measures, including the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Law, the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) Act, amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, and other social protection and education bills.

Malacañang has repeatedly said the administration wants Congress to set aside political distractions and focus on legislation that would provide immediate and meaningful assistance to Filipinos.