Cayetano Offers Gatchalian a Meeting to Resolve Senate Leadership

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has reached out to Senator Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian, inviting him to a meeting to settle the question of who holds the legitimate claim to the Senate presidency.

In a Facebook livestream on Saturday, Cayetano made his pitch directly to his colleague.

"I'll offer you a solution, Senator Win. Mag-meeting tayo. May naiisip akong solusyon. Mahirap humanap ng solusyon kung sino ang tunay na Senate president kasi 'yung tatlong libro na hawak ko ay nagsasabing ang legitimate Senate president ay 'yung nahalal ng 13," Cayetano said.

He was referring to three books resting on his table: the Philippine Constitution, the Rules of the Senate, and the Bible.

GMA News Online sought a comment from Gatchalian but has yet to receive a statement as of posting time.

The Numbers Game: 12 or 13?

The dispute traces back to a Senate session on June 3, when 12 senators were present, comprising the minority bloc and Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero. They declared a quorum based on the Supreme Court's 1949 ruling in Avelino v. Cuenco, which held that an absolute majority of 12 constituted a constitutional majority for a quorum after one senator, Tomas Confesor, was outside the Senate's jurisdiction in the United States.

During that session, all elected Senate positions, including the Senate presidency, were declared vacant. Gatchalian was then elected Senate President Pro Tempore, allowing the minority-led bloc to declare him the acting Senate president. Senate committee leaderships were also overhauled.

A statement from the "new majority" on Wednesday declared that Cayetano is no longer Senate President. Cayetano, however, insists he remains the "legitimate, legal and moral" Senate president.

"The Senate shall elect its president and the House of Representatives its speaker by the majority vote of all of its members... Iba po 'yon sa sinasabi rito 'a majority of each House shall constitute a quorum to do business," Cayetano said, citing the Philippine Constitution.

He maintained that Senate officers should be decided with a quorum of 13, not 12.

Legarda Weighs In

Senator Loren Legarda echoed Cayetano's reasoning in a video statement on Saturday.

"[Taong] 1949 pa ang kasong ito at naganap sa ilalim ng 1935 Constitution. Nagbago na ang Saligang Batas, 1987 Constitution na ang sumasaklaw sa atin," Legarda said.

She added that under the 1987 Constitution, 13 votes are required to elect a Senate President and other officials.

Gatchalian, however, pushed back on that interpretation.

"Of course, we respect her opinion, but matibay rin ang opinion ng Integrated Bar of the Philippines, 'yung association ng mga law school deans, of course, 'yung mga former Senate presidents," Gatchalian told reporters.

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines and other legal experts have previously issued a statement validating the Gatchalian-led bloc's adoption of the Avelino v. Cuenco precedent.

Malacañang Backs Gatchalian

The Palace has thrown its weight behind the new Senate leadership, a move consistent with the administration's commitment to the rule of law.

"Ang nangyari sa Senado ngayong hapon ay naaayon sa batas at Rule of Law. Kinikilala at nirerespeto ng Palasyo ang desisyon ng bagong mayorya at ang liderato ni acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian," Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said.

For a government focused on stability and forward momentum, the recognition of a functioning Senate leadership signals that the wheels of governance must keep turning, even amid internal parliamentary disputes.

A Word of Caution

Cayetano warned Gatchalian not to allow himself to be used by Malacañang or his new allies.

"Mag-ingat si Sen. Win kasi maganda naman ang future niya. Huwag kang magpagamit sa Malacañang at doon sa mga kasamahan mo kahit binibigyan ka ng high position," Cayetano said.

Allegations Against Lacson

Cayetano also leveled serious accusations against Senator Panfilo Lacson, a former Blue Ribbon Committee chairperson, alleging that committee hearings were used to "protect" the then-majority.

"Basically ang sinasabi, nakipagsabwatan si Senator Lacson sa administrasyon para iporma laban kay Jinggoy, kay Chiz, kay Joel, etc. Regardless kung may zero truth, partial truth... and then may mga pinagtakpan from masterminds [to] lower," Cayetano alleged.

He claimed that during the hearings, he discovered that senators' charges over the flood control scandal were "negotiable," and that Lacson had suggested speaking to "the management" because a certain witness was "not credible."

As of writing, Lacson has not issued a statement responding to the allegations.

For the faithful and the constitutionally minded alike, Cayetano's invocation of the Bible alongside the Constitution and the Senate Rules underscores a deeply held belief that legitimacy rests on more than just numbers. Whether that conviction can bridge the divide with the Gatchalian bloc, however, remains an open question.