Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday, June 4, 2026, slammed the “bogus” hearing conducted by the Cayetano-led bloc regarding anomalous flood control projects. In a statement issued while Senator Rodante Marcoleta, head of the Senate Blue Ribbon sub-committee of the bloc led by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, presided over the hearing, Gatchalian asserted that the proceedings lacked any basis in the rules, calendar, or authority of the Senate.
Gatchalian urges colleagues to abandon 'bogus' hearing
“We urge our colleagues to abandon this bogus ‘hearing,’ respect the rules, the quorum, and the duly constituted leadership of the Senate,” Gatchalian said. “The Senate’s mandate is to uphold the Constitution, check abuses, and pass laws for the people’s welfare,” he added.
Gatchalian accused the Cayetano bloc of engaging in grandstanding rather than attending legitimately called sessions. He described their gathering as an unofficial and unauthorized assembly that constitutes an insult to the institution and to the Filipino taxpayers.
Power grab allegations
Gatchalian claimed that members of the Cayetano bloc were attempting to cling to power they had already lost during what he described as a valid and constitutional Senate reorganization held on Wednesday, June 3. “For clarity, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano is no longer Senate President after the Senate, with 12 senators present and a quorum declared based on the recognized base number of 22 under Avelino v. Cuenco, voted to declare all positions vacant, including the presidency of the institution,” the Gatchalian bloc stated.
Gatchalian was installed as Senate President pro tempore and acting Senate President on Wednesday, June 4, after the minority bloc claimed they had reached a quorum for plenary voting following the sudden appearance of Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero. The 12 present senators also elected new committee chairpersons.
Blue Ribbon committee hearing continues
Senator Erwin Tulfo, who was assigned to head the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, announced that the panel’s inquiry into flood control anomalies would resume on June 8. Despite the leadership dispute, Cayetano pushed through with the Blue Ribbon committee hearing, insisting he remains Senate President. The hearing featured 18 former Marines as the only resource persons.
Tensions escalated within the Senate premises after Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla allegedly attempted to block the entry of the 18 ex-Marines to attend the proceedings. Due to the absence of the Senate secretariat, Cayetano personally administered the oath to the resource persons.
Malacañang recognizes Gatchalian leadership
Malacañang earlier recognized the leadership of Gatchalian. In a press conference, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro stated that the executive department will only acknowledge messages coming from the new Senate leadership. She also revealed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is considering calling for a Congress special session should Gatchalian request it.
“Because if many things are delayed due to this kind of situation, the President does not want there to be any delay in the work of the Senate,” Castro said in Filipino. “Provided that the official request is accompanied by valid grounds for calling a special session,” she added.
