Malacañang said it recognizes and respects the change in Senate leadership following the election of Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as acting Senate president on Wednesday.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the developments in the Senate were in accordance with the law and the rule of law.
“Ang nangyari sa Senado ngayong hapon ay naaayon sa batas at rule of law. Kinikilala at nirerespeto ng Palasyo ang desisyon ng bagong mayorya at ang liderato ni Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian,” Castro said.
“What happened in the Senate this afternoon was in accordance with the law and the rule of law. The Palace recognizes and respects the decision of the new majority and the leadership of Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian,” she added.
Gatchalian was elected acting Senate president and Senate president pro tempore after Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero attended the session with 11 senators from the Sotto-led bloc, allowing the chamber to declare a quorum.
The development ended a two-day deadlock in the Senate, which had failed to hold sessions due to lack of quorum after members of the then-majority bloc skipped plenary proceedings.