Dy congratulates Gatchalian, says fully functioning Senate needed

[Updated June 3, 2026, 5:46 p.m.]

MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III has congratulated acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian after his election, saying that a fully functioning Senate is needed to push for meaningful legislation and uphold democratic governance.

“At a time when our nation looks to its institutions for stability and leadership, a fully functioning Senate is essential to advancing legislation, exercising oversight, and upholding democratic governance,” Dy said.

“We are confident that under your stewardship, the Senate will continue to discharge its constitutional duties with integrity, independence, and dedication to the public interest,” he added.

Dy also said that he wished Gatchalian success in leading the chamber.

“On behalf of the House of Representatives, we extend our warmest congratulations to the Acting Senate President, Sherwin Gatchalian, on your assumption of this important responsibility,” Dy said.

“We wish Acting Senate President Gatchalian every success as he leads the chamber in addressing the challenges and opportunities before our country,” he added.

Minority walkout

The Senate last held a session on May 26, which was adjourned after the minority bloc walked out of the plenary. The minority’s walkout was a protest against the majority’s push to discuss the proposed amendments to the Senate rules, which would have allowed remote participation for absent senators.

The session was adjourned by former Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda and was scheduled to resume on June 1, but since Monday, the majority bloc has refrained from entering the Senate plenary to hold a session.

READ: After minority walkout, Senate majority no-show at Monday session

It was unclear whether the Senate would hold its session after two days of absence from the majority.  With the current deadlock — as both the majority and the minority now have 11 members after the arrest of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, while Sen. Ronald dela Rosa remains a fugitive — there was no indication whether any member of the majority would show up to constitute a quorum.

Escudero shows up

But on Wednesday afternoon, Sen. Francis Escudero of the majority showed up, giving the minority a quorum.

READ: Escudero shows up at Senate plenary amid Cayetano-led group’s boycott

This allowed the minority to install Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate president pro tempore, and Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri as the majority leader. Gatchalian also assumed the role of acting Senate president.

READ: Senate finally convenes amid alleged Cayetano-led group’s boycott

READ: Gatchalian elected Senate president pro tempore

Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged the senators to return to work, warning that the chamber’s inability to hold sessions had disrupted essential legislative functions and undermined government efforts to address pressing national concerns.

According to Marcos, the administration is exploring all legal and constitutional options to address the situation, but stressed that resolving the deadlock ultimately depends on the cooperation and commitment of the Senate leadership.

READ: Marcos to Senate: Get back to work

“Get back to work,” Marcos bluntly answered when asked about the Senate’s failure to hold sessions for the past two consecutive days.  “Because it’s important. We have so many things to do in the government.” /atm /mr