Marcos recognizes Gatchalian leadership

President Marcos publicly recognized Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate President Pro Tempore during the 128th Independence Day celebration on Friday, underscoring Malacañang's support for the Senate leadership amid an ongoing dispute in the chamber.

- By HELEN FLORES

Gatchalian was among the officials who attended the Independence Day rites in Rizal Park and the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

It was the first time Marcos and Gatchalian were seen together in a public gathering since the senator was elected to the post.

Marcos was seen talking to Gatchalian, shaking his hand and briefly tapping his arm.

Some of those present at the parade cheered after the President greeted "Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian" in his speech.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson welcomed Marcos' public recognition of Gatchalian and expressed support for his fellow senator.

"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 in a post on X.

Gatchalian was elected president pro tempore and acting Senate president on June 3 after a 12-senator quorum ended a leadership deadlock in the chamber and voted to replace Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.

However, Cayetano and former Senate president pro tempore Loren Legarda have maintained that the move lacked the required votes to remove them from their posts.