Minority bloc pushes for Sherwin Gatchalian as ‘coup’ talk persists

MANILA, Philippines — Another round of musical chairs in the Senate could create a new majority, with Sen. Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian assuming leadership with the backing of a “solid” 11-member minority bloc and several other senators who would change sides.

Former Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson and Sen. Francis Pangilinan, in separate statements on Saturday, said that Gatchalian, who has been serving as senator for the past 10 years, would be the ideal unifier of the Senate.

They did not say what might trigger another Senate leadership shakeup after the May 11 “coup” that ousted then Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III whom they supported.

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Gatchalian, 52, said in a radio interview on Friday that he was ready to take on the Senate presidency. In another interview on Saturday, he cited the Senate’s responsibility of performing a critical constitutional task—the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

“We, of the SB-11 or Solid Bloc 11, all want Senator Sherwin ‘Win’ Gatchalian to become Senate President,” Pangilinan said in a statement.

“In realpolitik, he can unite a broader, reform-oriented Senate that is more balanced, more accountable, and acceptable even to some members of the current majority,” Pangilinan said.

Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano himself said that he might vote for Gatchalian as Senate president, he said.

Pangilinan described Gatchalian as “competent, steady, and fair” and that the senator’s leadership capability was proven during the deliberations on the 2026 national budget.

Gatchalian served as chair of the Senate committee on finance, before he was replaced by Sen. Mark Villar this week after Cayetano won the Senate presidency with 13 votes.

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Lacson echoed Pangilinan’s statement that Gatchalian could lead the Senate and form a “united front” on all issues.

“He is capable, qualified and prepares for his work,” he said in an interview with dzMM. “In all the committee hearings he attended or presided over, he knew what he was talking about and he was prepared. So, we see him as eminently qualified to become the Senate President of the 20th Congress at least.”

Lacson said that restoring the Senate’s integrity was “non-negotiable” for the minority bloc following the turbulence in the Senate last week.

He was referring to the May 11 ouster of Sotto by a narrow majority of 13, the May 13 shooting incident inside the Senate building and the controversial escape of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa—who provided the crucial vote for Cayetano—from the Senate’s “protective custody” in the early hours of May 14.

Better public perception

“Never in my memory as a senator have I seen the House of Representatives enjoying better public perception than the Senate,” Lacson added.

In his interview with dzMM on Friday, Gatchalian said he was ready to assume the Senate presidency, saying that his 10-year experience in the chamber had prepared him for it.

He also said that the Senate should focus on how to restore its dignity after the recent events. “It really took a hit, we can’t deny that,” Gatchalian said.

He said the shooting incident may be “one of the ugliest marks” on the history of the Senate. With new information coming out showing a clearer picture of what happened, some people “should be held accountable,” he said.

Gatchalian acknowledged that leading the Senate through a possible impeachment trial would be a major responsibility.

“It is important not only for the Senate President, but for each senator, to carefully study the articles of impeachment and thoroughly examine the evidence,” he said in an interview with dwIZ on Saturday. “It is also important to disclose to the public the evidence gathered by the prosecution and even by the defense team, so there can be a fair assessment of the situation.”

The minority bloc believes Gatchalian is capable of presiding over impeachment proceedings because of his experience in handling complex Senate committees, according to Lacson.

‘Just, fair, impartial, neutral’

“He can study and learn that,” Lacson said in an interview with dwIZ radio on Saturday.

Gatchalian said that in the impeachment trial, it was important for senators to be “just, fair, impartial and neutral,” and to carefully study the articles of impeachment against the Vice President.

In case he takes over as Senate president, Gatchalian said he would systematize processes to prevent disruptions in legislative work that could delay important measures.

He pointed out that a change in the Senate leadership would result in the changes in the heads of the various committees in the chamber, which would affect the work of the senators.

He noted that many heads of committees were already crafting priority legislation before last week’s leadership shakeup.

“We will create a system that will ensure the work continues, and even if the leadership changes, our important proposed measures will not be affected,”

Despite the political uncertainty, Gatchalian said the Senate must continue focusing on economic concerns affecting Filipinos, including inflation and the effects of global conflicts.

Gatchalian first served as representative of Valenzuela’s first district from 2001 to 2004, when he was elected mayor of the city where he completed three terms as the local chief executive in 2013. He returned to the House of Representatives that year, serving three years before he was elected senator. He was reelected to the Senate in 2022. INQ