After gaining support from top government officials and institutions, Senate President Pro Tempore and acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian also won the public’s acceptance and approval, as shown in a public event on Friday, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said.
Lacson said public support for Gatchalian was evident when the crowd at the Independence Day rites at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila cheered after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. acknowledged him as Senate President Pro Tempore.
“The cheering and applause this morning simply symbolized public acceptance and approval versus public disapproval and disgust. No need to mention here ‘who versus who,’” Lacson said on X.
In FIlipino: Lacson: Suporta ng Publiko kay Gatchalian, Ramdam sa Independence Day Rites
The cheering and applause this morning simply symbolized public acceptance and approval versus public disapproval and disgust. No need to mention here ‘who versus who’.
— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) June 12, 2026
Gatchalian was elected Senate President Pro Tempore and acting Senate President last June 3, after Sen. Francis Escudero joined the then 11-member majority to form a quorum – and end the paralysis at the Senate caused by the boycott of the then majority headed by disgraced ex-Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.
Key government institutions including Malacanang, the House of Representatives and the Civil Service Commission, as well as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and various organizations, have recognized Gatchalian as acting Senate leader.
With this, Lacson said there should be no more confusion on whose leadership is to be recognized and followed, amid the minority’s continued insistence to the contrary.
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Lacson: Suporta ng Publiko kay Gatchalian, Ramdam sa Independence Day Rites
Matapos makuha ang suporta mula sa matataas na opisyal ng pamahalaan at mga institusyon, naramdaman na rin ni Senate President Pro Tempore at acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian ang pagtanggap at pag-apruba ng publiko, ayon kay Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson.
Sinabi ni Lacson na malinaw ang suporta ng publiko kay Gatchalian nang magpalakpakan ang mga tao sa Independence Day rites sa Quirino Grandstand sa Maynila matapos siyang kilalanin ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. bilang Senate President Pro Tempore.
“The cheering and applause this morning simply symbolized public acceptance and approval versus public disapproval and disgust. No need to mention here ‘who versus who,’” sabi ni Lacson sa X.
Nahalal si Gatchalian bilang Senate President Pro Tempore at acting Senate President noong Hunyo 3, matapos sumama si Sen. Francis Escudero sa 11-miyembrong mayorya upang makabuo ng quorum at wakasan ang pagkaparalisa ng Senado na dulot ng boycott ng dating mayorya na pinamumunuan ng disgrasyadong ex-Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.
Kinikilala na ng mga pangunahing institusyon ng pamahalaan kabilang ang Malacañang, Kamara de Representantes, Civil Service Commission, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, at iba’t ibang organisasyon si Gatchalian bilang acting lider ng Senado.
Dahil dito, sinabi ni Lacson na wala nang dapat kalituhan kung sino ang dapat kilalanin at sundin na lider, sa gitna ng patuloy na paninindigan ng minorya na sila pa rin ang dapat mamuno.
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