Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian was elected Senate president on June 17 during a special session, ending a monthlong leadership crisis. Former Senate president Alan Peter Cayetano conceded hours before the vote.
Sen. Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian secured 13 votes to become Senate president on Wednesday. The election took place in a special session of Congress after Sen. Joel Villanueva switched from the minority bloc.
Cayetano posted a concession on social media hours earlier. He said the arithmetic had changed but the Constitution had not. Most of his allies skipped the session.
Gatchalian’s win resolved questions over Senate leadership. It also affects a Supreme Court petition and clears the way for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Senators from both sides later recognized the new leadership. Gatchalian pledged to work with all 24 senators.
