Key facts
- Sherwin Gatchalian elected acting Senate President pro tempore.
- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged the Senate to end its impasse.
- Incumbent Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano disputes the legality of the session.
- New committee chairpersons were elected.
- Senate impeachment rules were amended.
Philippine senators elected Sherwin Gatchalian as acting Senate President pro tempore, breaking a legislative standoff that had paralyzed the chamber. The breakthrough occurred after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged the Senate to "get back to work," expressing frustration that urgent legislative duties were stalled. The impasse stemmed from a dispute between the majority and minority blocs, with the latter accusing incumbent Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano of failing in his duties. Following the election of Gatchalian, new committee chairpersons were appointed, and the Senate amended its impeachment rules. Cayetano has disputed the legality of the session, calling it an "illegal coup d'état."