IN A MATTER of days, a change in leadership in the Senate is bound to happen as the minority bloc of 11 openly prefers Senator Sherwin Gatchalian for the senate presidency
In an interview with reporters, Senator Francis Pangilinan made a categorical claim that members of the so-called SB-11 (Solid Bloc 11) are bent on pursuing another leadership change, over a week after Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano replaced former Senate President Vicente Sotto via 13-11 vote.
Among those who voted for Cayetano is fugitive Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa who emerged from a six-month hibernation in view of reports that an arrest warrant has been released by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“We, of the SB-11 or Solid Bloc 11, all want Senator Sherwin Gatchalian to become Senate President,” Pangilinan said in a statement.
With Sen. Ronald dela Rosa just a few steps from being arrested to face charges before the ICC, Cayetano’s bloc is down to 12.
Pangilinan told GMA News that Gatchalian “has proven himself, especially during the deliberations on the 2026 national budget, that he can protect the people’s money and ensure that public funds go where they are most needed.”
Gatchalian was the chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance. He has since been replaced by Senator Mark Villar this month – under Cayetano.
“Principle-wise, Sen. Win is competent, steady, and fair. In realpolitik, he can unite a broader, reform-oriented Senate that is more balanced, more accountable, and acceptable even to some members of the current majority,” Pangilinan averred.
“Even current Senate President Cayetano has said he might vote for Senator Win as Senate President,” he added.
Senator Erwin Tulfo on Thursday also admitted that talks of a leadership change at the Senate are still ongoing.
President Marcos Jr. on Monday said that he would “wait and see” developments regarding the Senate leadership as they unfold amid reports of another brewing change.
Rumors circulated that Cayetano will be ousted as Senate president this week, following the shooting incident at the Senate on Wednesday, May 13.
Tensions grew in the upper chamber last week following the release of an arrest warrant of the ICC for dela Rosa in his role during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.
During the plenary session on Monday, Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and JV Ejercito identified themselves as members of the Senate minority bloc.
Pangilinan said Gatchalian is “competent, steady, and fair,” and “can unite a broader, reform-oriented Senate that is more balanced, more accountable, and acceptable even to some members of the current majority.”
“Even current SP Cayetano was previously heard saying he might vote for Senator Win as Senate president,” Pangilinan noted.
Gatchalian is part of the new 11-member minority bloc that supported Senate President Vicente Sotto III in voting that led to Cayetano’s election.
Dela Rosa, a crucial vote in the Senate coup, left the Senate premises on May 14 and has since been in hiding, leaving the majority bloc thin with 12 members.
Aside from the finance committee, Gatchalian also headed the committees on ways and means, basic education, energy, and economic affairs over his 10 years in the Senate.
Gatchalian had said he is “ready” to be Senate President: “kung handa, handa talaga.”