The 11-member Senate minority bloc, known as the “Solid Bloc 11” (SB-11), has formally thrown its support behind Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian to take over the Senate presidency, lawmakers confirmed on Saturday.
Led by Senate Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, the group is pushing for Gatchalian’s leadership to restore the upper chamber’s integrity amid ongoing controversies.
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan solidified the bloc’s stance in a statement, praising Gatchalian’s track record—particularly his previous tenure as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance before he was replaced by Senator Mark Villar this month.
”We, of the SB-11 or Solid Bloc 11, all want Senator Sherwin ‘Win’ Gatchalian to become Senate President,” Pangilinan said. “He has proven, especially during the deliberations on the 2026 national budget, that he can protect the people’s money and ensure that public funds go where they are most needed.”
Pangilinan added that Gatchalian possesses the necessary qualities to bridge political divides in a turbulent legislative landscape.
”Principle-wise, Sen. Win is competent, steady, and fair. In realpolitik, he can unite a broader, reform-oriented Senate that is more balanced, more accountable, and acceptable even to some members of the current majority,” Pangilinan noted, revealing that even incumbent Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano hinted at potentially voting for Gatchalian.
A ‘Non-Negotiable’ Choice for Reform
Echoing Pangilinan’s sentiments, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson disclosed in an interview that the minority bloc’s decision was “cemented” during a recent caucus, rendering Gatchalian’s nomination non-negotiable in any impending leadership transitions.
According to Lacson, the push for new leadership stems from a collective desire to rebuild the Senate’s “integrity, dignity, and reputation,” which he described as being at a low point due to public scrutiny over government spending and large insertions in the 2025 national budget.
“Kung makikipag-ugnayan man kami sa kabilang grupo sa majority bloc, ilan sa kanila, ang non-negotiable sa amin si Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, yung aming itatalaga na Senate President at least for the meantime na merong kaguluhan sa Senado,” Lacson said.
If we ever coordinate with the other group in the majority bloc, some of them, our non-negotiable is Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, whom we will designate as Senate President, at least for the meantime while there is turmoil in the Senate.
Lacson emphasized that Gatchalian’s appeal extends beyond their 11-member circle, making him a viable consensus candidate capable of forming a unified legislative front.
“Sa aming pananaw, si Senator Sherwin ang pwede maging acceptable hindi lamang sa aming minority group of 11 kundi sa ilang senador sa mayorya ngayon,” Lacson added. “Alam namin qualified si Sen. Sherwin. Alam namin na kaya niyang dalhin ang senado doon sa magkakaisa-isa, magkakaroon ng united front against all the issues na bumabalot sa senado ngayon.”
In our view, Senator Sherwin is the one who can be acceptable not only to our minority group of 11 but also to several senators in the majority today. We know Sen. Sherwin is qualified. We know that he can lead the Senate toward unity, creating a united front against all the issues currently enveloping the Senate.