MANILA — The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition filed by a high school teacher challenging the Senate session on June 3, 2026, which included the vacation of all seats and the installation of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate President Pro Tempore.

In a media report, the Supreme Court of the Philippines said the petition filed by John Barry Tayam lacked legal standing.

“The SC ruled that Tayam failed to show that he suffered, or was at imminent risk of suffering, any direct injury from the actions he challenged,” according to the press briefer.

In a 20-page petition for certiorari, Tayam asked the Court to declare that the physical presence and assembly of 12 senators during the June 3, 2026 session of the 20th Congress constituted a valid and constitutional quorum of the active Senate membership.

He also sought to affirm the legality and constitutional validity of all legislative actions, vacancy declarations, leadership elections, and committee reorganizations carried out during that session.

A quorum was declared during the June 3 Senate session after Senator Francis Escudero’s arrival brought the number of senators present to 12.

Citing the case of Avelino v. Cuenco, Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian earlier said the Supreme Court had ruled that an absolute majority of 12 out of 22 members could constitute a valid quorum.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, meanwhile, has maintained his position on the chamber leadership dispute, insisting he remains the “legitimate, legal, moral Senate President.”