MANILA, Philippines — Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero broke the legislative deadlock on Wednesday by attending the plenary session, securing the 12-member quorum needed to overhaul the chamber’s leadership despite the boycotting absence of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s faction.
Escudero’s unexpected arrival at the session hall drew applause from the 11-member minority bloc and the gallery, setting a swift reorganization into motion. Following the declaration of a quorum, Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III moved to declare all Senate positions vacant, a motion that was unanimously approved by the lawmakers present.
The chamber subsequently elected Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as the new Senate President Pro Tempore and Senator Miguel Zubiri as the Rules panel Chairperson, while Senator Erwin Tulfo was voted to lead the powerful Blue Ribbon Committee.
Also formally assuming Gatchalian as the acting Senate President, Zubiri declared: “Let the record reflect that the chair, as Senate President Pro Tempore, shall serve as acting President pursuant to Rule 5… presiding officer of the Senate pursuant to Rule 5, Section 14(c) and 5 of the Rules of the Senate.“
The upper chamber also elected Renato Bantug Jr. as Senate Secretary, and retired Police Maj. Gen. Alfredo Sotto Corpuz as Sergeant-at-Arms.
Defending his decisive move, the former Senate president clarified that his attendance was an institutional defense rather than a partisan maneuver. “I am taking a stand for the Senate. My allegiance is not to any faction, personality, group or alliance. This is not about loyalty, betrayal, or choosing one group over the other—this is about duty,” Escudero stated.
Explaining that the current impasse had become “untenable and unacceptable“, he added, “When political divisions become too extreme and obstruct our mandate, we must all have the courage to pause, gain perspective, reflect, consider and realize that we should put the Senate, as the institution that we serve, above ourselves.“
Asserting the newly formed Senate majority’s mandate to immediately resume legislative work, the new majority issued a collective statement stressing the urgency of their duties.
“At a time when the nation faces pressing challenges, the Filipino people expect their Senate to work, deliberate, and fulfill its constitutional mandate. The institution cannot remain stalled by disagreements or uncertainty. Our duty is clear: to legislate, provide oversight, and serve the public interest,” the bloc said.
“The Filipino people deserve a Senate that shows up, does its job, and places public service above politics. It is time for the Senate to move forward and get back to work for the Filipino people.”|
