Erwin Tulfo praying for new Senate president during special session

MANILA, Philippines — The convening of a special session of Congress on June 17 gave rise to the possibility that Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian would be elected as Senate president.

Gatchalian was installed as Senate president pro tempore on June 3 following an alleged boycott by colleagues allied with Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.

READ: Senate minority: Majority’s absence a ‘boycott,’ not independence call

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At present, the new majority is still short of the 13 votes needed to elect a new Senate president, a position that has been declared vacant since June 3.

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Sen. Erwin Tulfo is hopeful they could secure the required number, and Gatchalian would be elected Senate president during the special session.

“That is truly our prayer. Not just ours, but that of the entire nation as well—that this will finally come to an end and things will settle down. After all, Sen. Alan Cayetano has said that he would step down once there are 13 [votes],” Tulfo told Senate reporters on Monday.

The senator was asked whether Gatchalian would officially take the helm of the chamber.

“We are hoping that we will truly have 13 tomorrow. However, from what I understand and have read, one senator has only agreed to attend so that a session can be held. The senator will attend, but has not yet made any commitment to join our group,” Tulfo said in Filipino.

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Asked if he was referring to  Sen. Joel Villanueva, Tulfo answered in the affirmative.

Villanueva, who is identified with Cayetano, announced on Sunday that he would attend the special session.

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READ: Villanueva to attend special session: This is not the time to take sides

As the leadership dispute remains unresolved, Tulfo said the Senate majority is discussing a smooth leadership transition to avoid any dirty tactics from Cayetano’s camp.

“I’m not sure what will happen, but hopefully it won’t reach the point where he is told before the session, “We already have 13.” Something like that. Then he would step down, since that is what he said—that he would resign once there are 13 votes,” he said in Filipino.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader  Juan Miguel Zubiri said the 12-man majority group is ready to respond to the special session called by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The 12 include Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero,  who belonged to Cayetano’s bloc.

“We will attend, do our work, and fulfill our duty to the people. The Senate has always had the capacity to rise above difficult moments, and I trust that we can approach this session with seriousness, respect for our mandate, and a clear sense of responsibility to the people,” Zubiri said in Filipino.

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“No drama, no delays, and no excuses for not working. We should be ready to work and ready to help move forward whatever must be acted upon for the public good,” he added. /mcm