Photo courtesy of Senator Win Gatchalian/Facebook.
Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday said he remains open to talks with Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano’s camp amid the continuing leadership dispute inside the chamber.
Gatchalian said he is willing to engage all senators, regardless of bloc, noting he has long-standing personal ties with colleagues from both the majority and minority.
He said dialogue could help ease tensions, adding that even Cayetano also wants what is best for the country.
The statement came after Cayetano, in a Facebook livestream, invited Gatchalian to a meeting to resolve who should be recognized as the “true Senate president.”
Cayetano argued that legitimacy should be based on at least 13 senators, citing constitutional principles, Senate rules, and other references he presented in his remarks.
The Senate remains split between a 12-member bloc aligned with Gatchalian and a 10-member group led by Cayetano, with no official Senate president elected under the required vote threshold.
Gatchalian said any possible meeting could be arranged informally, stressing that both sides have known each other for years and can find a way to talk.
He also rejected claims of external influence in the majority bloc, saying senators are engaged in internal discussions and consensus-building.
Gatchalian said the priority now is for the Senate to return to legislative work after weeks of political tension.
He added that he remains hopeful that unity can still be achieved to allow the chamber to move forward.