Palace Press Officer Claire Castro in a press briefing with ARTA on May 5, 2026. Video grab from RTVM’s livestream/Facebook.
Malacañang said it is recognizing only the Senate group led by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian following the continuing leadership conflict in the chamber.
In a radio interview, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Executive branch acknowledged Gatchalian as acting Senate president and would deal solely with his bloc for any official coordination.
She explained that requests such as convening a special session should be coursed through the leadership recognized by the administration, adding that the Palace had taken a firm position on the matter.
Castro also noted that Gatchalian’s leadership had gained recognition from other institutions, including the House of Representatives and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
The Palace official urged Senator Alan Peter Cayetano to stop asserting his claim to the Senate leadership, saying there was no longer support for his position.
Gatchalian was elevated to acting Senate president after being chosen by 12 senators during a June 3 session, where he was first elected Senate president pro tempore.
The development came after members of the Cayetano bloc skipped consecutive session days, citing concerns over alleged threats to the Senate’s independence.
Castro said the country needs a leader who prioritizes public service over personal or political interests, emphasizing that public office should not be used for self-serving goals.
She also dismissed claims that Malacañang had been involved in coordinating the leadership shift, stressing that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. respects the separation of powers.
Cayetano, however, had alleged that the events leading to Gatchalian’s rise were orchestrated, claiming some senators had communicated with Malacañang prior to the leadership change.
The dispute unfolded alongside other tensions in the Senate, including the arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada on plunder charges tied to a flood control controversy, which further intensified divisions within the chamber.