Palace recognizes Gatchalian bloc as Senate majority

MANILA, Philippines – There was no hesitation from Malacañang Palace in picking Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as the leader of the Senate, even as another faction, led by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, insisted they’re still the ruling majority. 

“Binanggit mo minority, right? So, you’re referring to the group of Senator Alan Cayetano. So, the minority is now the group of Senator Alan Cayetano. So, sino bang dapat masunod, majority or minority? Kung mayroong mangyayaring botohan, mayroong mangyayaring pagdedesisyon, kaninong boto ang dapat manaig, minority ba o majority? Siyempre, majority rules!” said Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro in a briefing on Thursday, June 4, the day after 12 senators from what was then the minority, led by Gatchalian and aided by Senator Francis Escudero, declared quorum in the upper chamber. 

(You’re talking about the minority, right? So, you’re referring to the group of Senator Alan Cayetano. So, the minority is now the group of Senator Alan Cayetano. So, who should prevail, the majority or the minority? If there were any voting or decision to be made, whose votes would prevail, the minority’s or the majority’s? Of course, the majority rules!)

Escudero’s appearance paved the way for the first session in the Senate in a week, or after the Cayetano-led faction refused to attend the session, making it impossible for the other bloc to reach a quorum. 

The Gatchalian-led bloc, which calls itself the new majority in the upper chamber, cited the Avelino doctrine in explaining the route to take in order to break the impasse in the Senate. Gatchalian was elected Senate president pro tempore and is acting Senate president, while all other committee chairmanships and most Senate leadership positions had been changed during the June 3 coup by the “new majority.”

Castro had earlier made it clear that the Palace recognized Gatchalian’s legitimacy as the upper chamber’s leader. 

Here’s one exchange during Thursday’s briefing: 

Question: “So, Ma’am, kasi parang nalilito na ang ating taumbayan. So, sa pananaw ng Palasyo, sino ang dapat sundin, ang Gatchalian wing or ang Cayetano wing? (The public is confused. In the eyes of the Palace, who has authority, the Gatchalian wing or the Cayetano wing?)”

Castro: “Kasasabi ko lang, ang kinikilala ng Palasyo ay ang liderato ni Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian.” (I just told you, the Palace recognizes the leadership of Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian.)

Question: “So, that does mean..?”

Castro: “At ito ay base sa Avelino versus Cuenco case, at ito rin ang ginawa sa panahon ni Senator Franklin Drilon noong 2015. So, tayo naman ay umaayon lamang din sa jurisprudence, sa batas at sa rule of law.” (This is based on the Avelino versus Cuenco case, and the precedence of events under Senator Frank Drilon in 2015. So, we follow jurisprudence in the law and the rule of law.)

Question: “So, hindi na po kinikilala ang Cayetano wing ng Palasyo?” (So, the Palace does not recognize the Cayetano wing?) 

Castro: “Kailangan pa bang i-memorize iyan?” (Isn’t that obvious?) 

Chaos, upheavals, and new precedents have characterized Cayetano’s reign as Senate president since mid-May. Under his watch, the Senate saw a shootout happen between its security forces and the National Bureau of Investigation, the escape of International Criminal Court-wanted Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, a walkout by the then-minority over attempts to amend Senate rules, and the latest leadership switch. 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in a chance interview on June 3, just before the Gatchalian wing took over, told members of the Senate to “get back to work” as he pointed out urgent legislation that needs to be passed — including a possible supplemental budget in response to the global oil crisis. 

The impasse in the Senate is a reflection of a great divide in Philippine politics between the Marcoses and the Dutertes, clans once tied by a fragile 2022 coalition. 

Cayetano once ran and lost alongside former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2016. The latter is now under detention and awaiting trial at the International Criminal Court. The Marcos administration flew the older Duterte overseas, citing the need to follow obligations under the International Criminal Police Organization. Cayetano’s coalition is composed of veteran and newbie politicians with political and personal ties to the Dutertes. Marcos’ estranged sister, Senator Imee, is part of the Cayetano coalition. 

The Gatchalian-led coalition, meanwhile, is an alliance of both close allies of Marcos and senators who are traditionally thought of as opposition figures to the Dutertes. Gatchalian is the brother of Marcos’ social welfare secretary. 

Castro said Marcos is “inclined” to accede to a request from Gatchalian to hold a special session in the Senate. – Rappler.com