Four former Senate presidents have appealed to incumbent senators to de-escalate the leadership dispute that has paralyzed the chamber, warning that the country cannot afford an unstable Senate amid mounting economic and security pressures.
In a joint statement dated June 5, 2026, circulated through the social media accounts of Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, former Senate presidents Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, and Franklin Drilon said they were speaking out of a “shared moral duty” to the institution they once led. They called on all senators, “regardless of bloc or affiliation,” to tone down public rhetoric that demeans the Senate, confine disagreements to the floor and proper forums, and prioritize urgent legislative work over internal maneuvering. The four urged members to resolve the crisis swiftly and “within the bounds of the Constitution, the rules, and long-standing practice.”
The statement comes amid a contest over who legitimately leads the upper chamber. As reported by the Philippine News Agency, the Senate adjourned sine die on June 3 after 12 senators declared a quorum and voted to declare all leadership positions vacant, electing Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian as Senate President Pro Tempore and acting Senate President. The move followed two days in which the majority bloc led by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano failed to convene sessions scheduled for June 1 and 2.
According to PNA, Gatchalian’s bloc invoked the 1949 Supreme Court ruling in Avelino v. Cuenco and a recognized base number of 22 senators to justify the 12-member quorum. Cayetano has rejected the action. In a video statement quoted by Philstar.com, he insisted he remained the “legitimate, legal, moral Senate president,” describing the takeover as an “illegal coup d’etat.”
The dispute has raised the prospect of Supreme Court intervention. The Manila Times reported that the high court has been asked to clarify the validity of the June 3 session, with both blocs expected to press their claims. Sun.Star Cebu quoted retired Regional Trial Court Judge Meinrado Paredes, who warned that the standoff could escalate into a full-blown constitutional crisis if rival camps continue asserting authority while the chamber’s functions remain impaired.
Notably, two of the statement’s signatories are sitting senators with direct stakes in the realignment. Inquirer reported that Zubiri recently joined the minority bloc, citing what he called betrayal by colleagues, while Philstar.com reported that Drilon and Pimentel had earlier thrown their support behind the Gatchalian-led majority, calling the reorganization valid and subject to challenge before the Supreme Court. The Integrated Bar of the Philippines, in a statement reported by Philstar.com, declared the June 3 quorum “lawful and valid,” citing the same constitutional provisions and jurisprudence invoked by the new majority.
Classes nationwide are set to open on June 8, with several urgent measures pending before a chamber that has not held a functional session in days.
