From the Website of PNA
links Palace sees Gatchalian as legitimate Senate leader
links Palace sees Gatchalian as legitimate Senate leader
Palace sees Gatchalian as legitimate Senate leader
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Executive recognizes Gatchalian's leadership following his election by the Senate's new majority bloc during Wednesday's session.
“Ang kinikilala ng Palasyo ang liderato ni Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian (The Palace recognizes the leadership of acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian,” Castro said during a Palace briefing.
Gatchalian was elected acting Senate president during Wednesday's session after senators from the minority bloc, joined by Senator Francis Escudero, established a quorum and proceeded with Senate business.
The Senate also elected Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri as the chairperson of the committee on rules, while former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III administered Gatchalian’s oath as the chamber’s most senior member.
The leadership change came amid days of turmoil in the Senate following the arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada and the subsequent absence of members of the former majority bloc, led by erstwhile Senate president Alan Peter Cayetano, resulting in the cancellation of sessions.
Earlier, Cayetano slammed the leadership change as an “illegal coup d’etat” and refused to acknowledge the authority of the new Senate majority bloc composed of 12 senators.
Castro said the Palace's position is based on the landmark Avelino vs. Cuenco ruling, which has long been cited in leadership and quorum disputes in the Senate.
She also noted that a similar principle was applied during the leadership dispute involving then Senate president Franklin Drilon in 2015.
The Palace issued its recognition shortly after Gatchalian was elected acting Senate president by senators who attended Wednesday's session.
Castro said Malacañang considered it proper to recognize the new leadership because it emerged through what it views as a valid parliamentary process. (PNA)
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