UMVA has learned that a dramatic turn of events unfolded in the Senate on Wednesday, as a quorum of 12 senators finally convened to elect a new leader, marking a significant development in the ongoing power struggle.
Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian was elected as the Senate president pro tempore, filling the void left by Senator Alan Peter S. Cayetano, who had led a two-day boycott that brought the chamber to the brink of a constitutional violation.
The session was made possible by Senator Francis Joseph G. Escudero, who broke the 11-11 impasse by attending the final day of the 20th Congress' second regular session, allowing lawmakers to declare all seats vacant and paving the way for Gatchalian's election.
Gatchalian asserted the legitimacy of the move, citing a 1949 Supreme Court ruling that considers 12 out of 23 members a quorum, and another precedent from a 2015 session that declared a quorum with 17 available senators.
The move was not without controversy, however, as Cayetano denounced the change in leadership as an "illegal coup d'état" and vowed to continue asserting his claim to the Senate presidency.
Despite Cayetano's objections, both Malacañang and the House of Representatives recognized and welcomed Gatchalian's leadership, with Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro stating that the events that transpired in the Senate were in accordance with the law and the rule of law.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. also weighed in on the issue, urging the Senate to get back to work and questioning the chamber's decision to halt legislative work amid internal conflicts.
The President emphasized the need for stability and governance, particularly in light of the ongoing Iran war and its potential impact on the country, and expressed disappointment that the Legislature had become "in disarray" due to internal conflicts.
Business groups also sounded the alarm, warning that the delays in Senate proceedings risk losing investor momentum and urging senators to immediately resume regular sessions to address pressing economic issues.
The Management Association of the Philippines and the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines both emphasized the need for the Senate to fulfill its constitutional duties and complete the organization of standing committees to conduct legislative activity.
Gatchalian himself noted that the Senate's inaction was wasting taxpayer money, with an estimated P25 million spent daily on utilities and staff salaries, and emphasized that every day of inaction was another day that millions of Filipinos had to wait for action, leadership, and solutions.
The nation remains on edge, awaiting the outcome of this power struggle and its potential impact on the country's governance and economy.
