Senator Win Gatchalian on Wednesday dismissed rumors of an impending leadership change in the upper chamber, strongly denying any plots to oust Senate President Vicente Sotto III amid speculation linked to a potential impeachment trial for Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Walang Senate coup. I can tell you upfront na walang Senate coup. Especially ngayon sa very tumultuous economic time, I can confidently say na SP Sotto is managing the Senate as stable as it can,” Gatchalian said in a “Kapihan sa Manila Bay” forum.
The lawmaker emphasized that the chamber is prioritizing economic interventions rather than political maneuvers.
He pointed to the collaborative, cross-party creation of the PROTECT committee as proof of the Senate’s unified focus on combating soaring commodity prices.
“Isa sa mga moves na ginagawa is to create the PROTECT committee, kasama siya dito sa mga nag-create. Nag-cross kami ng party lines to create this to address the situation natin sa presyo ng bilihin,” he added.
According to Gatchalian, the Senate remains highly responsive to the nation’s financial climate and stands prepared to approve a supplemental budget should the executive branch require extra funding for its economic relief programs. Senator Erwin Tulfo echoed this sentiment earlier in the week, rejecting the coup rumors by stating that the country has far more pressing issues to resolve.
Meanwhile, when questioned about his stance on the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s partial report on flood control projects, Gatchalian noted that he is still reviewing the nearly 500-page document.
“Partial lang naman ito, so my understanding is mayroon mga susunod pang hearings and may maiimbitahan pang resource persons para makumpleto ang picture,” he said.
As of May 5, the initial report has garnered signatures from only seven lawmakers: Senate President Sotto, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros, and Senators Raffy Tulfo, Erwin Tulfo, Bam Aquino, and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.