MANILA — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian assumed the roles of acting Senate President and Senate President Pro Tempore on Wednesday after the Senate resumed session and reorganized its leadership following days of deadlock.

The upper chamber was able to convene after Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero attended the plenary session, joining minority senators who had already been present in the session hall. His appearance provided the numbers needed to establish a quorum after two consecutive session days without proceedings.

A total of 12 senators were present when the Senate resumed session on June 3. Following a roll call and the declaration of a quorum, all Senate leadership positions were declared vacant, paving the way for a chamber reorganization and effectively removing Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano from the post.

Gatchalian was elected Senate President Pro Tempore and immediately took over as presiding officer. As of Wednesday, no replacement for Cayetano had been chosen.

The Senate had been unable to conduct sessions since Monday despite the attendance of minority senators, as members of the majority bloc, including Cayetano and other presiding officers, did not appear.

The impasse began shortly after the arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada on a plunder case linked to the alleged flood control scandal. The majority bloc’s numbers had also been reduced by Estrada’s detention and the continued absence of Senator Bato dela Rosa.

The Senate’s failure to hold session for two days stalled action on pending measures and appointments while questions persisted over whether Cayetano still commanded enough support to maintain control of the chamber.