Senator Robinhood Padilla has pushed back against claims that he played favorites in the recent contest for the Senate’s top post, insisting his vote followed party lines and constitutional requirements rather than any personal stake.
In a Facebook post, Padilla said his bloc had formally welcomed Senator Sherwin Gatchalian’s rise to the Senate presidency. “Tinatanggap ng partido si Senator Win Gatchalian sa kanyang pagkahirang bilang bagong Pangulo ng Senado sapagkat nakakuha na siya ng labingtatlong boto na siyang naaayon sa Saligang Batas, at ang pagsunod sa Saligang Batas ay pagtalima sa aming sinumpaan ng walang pagmamalabis at walang pagkukulang,” he wrote.
He was emphatic that he had stayed out of the maneuvering over who should lead the chamber. “Mula 19th Congress hanggang sa kasalukuyang palitan ng liderato hindi ako nakialam at nakisawsaw sa kung sino dapat ang maging Pangulo ng Senado. Malaking kasinungalingan ang mga pahayag na ako’y may personal na interes kayat may kinikilingan. Ang aking boto ay nakaangkla sa pagsulong ng mga adhikain ng partido demokratiko ng Pilipinas/PDP Laban,” Padilla added.
His statement came as Gatchalian, fresh off his election, told reporters the chamber was done with months of spectacle. “Tapos na ang Senateflix, back to work na tayo. So, in the next few weeks, ilalatag na namin yung mga LEDAC bills na dapat matapos, at ilalatag na rin namin yung mga preparations natin for the impeachment on July 6,” he said at his first press conference as Senate President on Thursday.
The new Senate leader laid out two immediate priorities: moving the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council’s pending measures and readying the chamber for its July 6 impeachment proceedings. He framed the latter as inseparable from the job, noting that senators are bound to serve as judges in such cases.
Gatchalian also extended an olive branch to colleagues outside his bloc. “I really appreciate yung mga minority members na nandoon yesterday. Give me a chance to talk to them, to also set the direction na mag-uumpisa na ng trabaho,” he said, adding, “I plan to reach out to all.”
That outreach has yet to include his immediate predecessor. Gatchalian confirmed he had not yet spoken with Alan Peter Cayetano, whom he succeeded, but said his door remained open and that he intended to initiate contact himself.
The leadership turnover capped weeks of upheaval that began May 11, when the reappearance of Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, a gunfire incident on May 13, and an escalating fight over control of the chamber threw the Senate into disarray. Cayetano’s grip loosened on June 3, when Gatchalian’s faction convened and declared a quorum, installing him as acting Senate President and Senate President pro tempore. His formal election to the presidency followed on June 17 during a special session, once a thirteenth vote completed the majority needed under the Constitution.
