Senator Joel Villanueva attended the Senate’s special session on Wednesday, bringing the number of senators present to 13 and allowing the chamber to declare a quorum.
Earlier on Wednesday, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said in a statement that after speaking with Villanueva, it appeared that senators on the other side would soon have the numbers to elect a new Senate President.
“And now, after speaking with Sen. Joel Villanueva, it appears our colleagues on the other side will soon have the numbers to elect a new Senate President. I will not stand in the way of that vote,” Cayetano said.
Villanueva later arrived at the Senate and was welcomed by senators supporting Senator Win Gatchalian’s bid for the Senate presidency. His presence brought the number of senators on the floor to 13, allowing the Senate to formally convene.
Following the declaration of a quorum, Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri moved to proceed with the election of the Senate President and nominated Gatchalian for the post.
Zubiri cited Gatchalian’s experience as a former mayor of Valenzuela City, member of the House of Representatives, senator, and chairperson of several Senate committees.
With no other nominations raised, the Senate elected Gatchalian as Senate President.
In the same statement, Cayetano said he would not stand in the way of the vote and extended his congratulations to whoever the chamber would lawfully elect as its next leader.
The Senate also elected Senator Vicente Tito Sotto III as Senate President Pro Tempore and Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri as Senate Majority Leader.
