MANILA — Malacañang said it recognizes Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as acting Senate president, citing jurisprudence and established parliamentary practice as basis for the decision.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Executive branch acknowledges Gatchalian’s leadership after he was elected by the Senate’s new majority bloc during Wednesday’s session.

“Ang kinikilala ng Palasyo ang liderato ni Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian (The Palace recognizes the leadership of acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian,” Castro said in a Palace briefing.

Gatchalian assumed the position after senators from the minority bloc, joined by Sen. Francis Escudero, secured a quorum and proceeded with Senate business. During the session, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri was also elected chairperson of the committee on rules, while former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III administered Gatchalian’s oath as the chamber’s most senior member.

The leadership shift followed days of tension in the Senate, including the arrest of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and the absence of members of the former majority bloc led by former Senate president Alan Peter Cayetano, which resulted in the cancellation of earlier sessions.

Cayetano earlier described the move as an “illegal coup d’etat” and refused to recognize the authority of the group that now comprises the Senate majority bloc.

Castro said Malacañang’s recognition is anchored on the Supreme Court ruling in Avelino vs. Cuenco, which has long been cited in resolving leadership and quorum disputes in the Senate.

She also cited a similar precedent applied during a 2015 leadership dispute involving then Senate president Franklin Drilon.

According to Castro, the Palace deemed it appropriate to recognize the new leadership as it emerged from what it considers a valid parliamentary process.