Jamaine Punzalan

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian takes his oath as the new Senate President during a special session at the Senate of the Philippines on June 17, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

SENATE -GATCHALIAN

Jervis Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178166786153920260617-senate-impasse-sp-win-gatchalian-MT4.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Senator Sherwin Gatchalian takes his oath as the new Senate President during a special session at the Senate of the Philippines on June 17, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Malacanang acknowledged Wednesday the formal <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/17/gatchalian-elected-as-senate-president-in-congress-special-session-0921">election of Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian.</a></p><p>&quot;Pinapahatid ng Palasyo ang pagbati sa bagong halal na Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian,&quot; Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a statement.</p><p>Gatchalian was elected as Senate President two weeks after his election as Senate President Pro Tempore, with <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/17/joel-villanueva-special-session-senate-0918">Sen. Joel Villanueva</a> attending the special session on Wednesday.</p><p>Prior to this, the Palace has acknowledged the leadership of Gatchalian during the height of power struggle in the upper chamber.</p><p>&quot;Pasasalamat sa House of Representatives sa pamumuno ni Speaker Bodjie Dy at sa mayorya  sa Senado na handa nang gumanap sa kanilang tungkulin,&quot; Castro said.</p><p>&quot;Alam natin ang hangad ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr ---mabilis at maayos na paglilingkod para sa taumbayan. Ang mga priority legislative bills ay dapat nang maisabatas para lalo pang mapagtibay at mapalawak ang tulong ng pamahalaan sa ating mga kababayan,&quot; she added.</p><p>Marcos on Monday called for a special session for the passage and urgent action on bills on social protection.</p><div><br/></div><div><em><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yKuVtTfAaeQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xEPkwAe4qrM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P_Esua3m8_Y?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></em><br/></div><div><br style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"/></div>

<p>Malacanang acknowledged Wednesday the formal election of Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian. </p>

Malacanang acknowledged Wednesday the formal election of Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian.

Palace acknowledges Gatchalian election as Senate president

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Palace acknowledges Gatchalian election as Senate president

Jervis Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 17, 2026 11:46 AM PHT

|

Updated June 17, 2026 12:25 PM PHT

Read More:

Gatchalian

Senate

Cayetano

Villanueva

House

special session

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.