Former Senate President Koko Pimentel on Saturday called on senators and chamber employees to acknowledge the authority of Senator Win Gatchalian as the acting Senate President, asserting that the 12-member majority bloc has the legal validity to conduct official legislative business.
Pimentel explained that the recent arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada and the decision of Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero to align with Gatchalian’s faction provided the group with the necessary numbers to keep the institution functioning.
While the former lawmaker clarified that electing a permanent Senate leader demands a minimum of 13 votes under the 1987 Constitution, he emphasized that a simple majority of active members ready to work can rightfully choose an acting presiding officer.
“Pagdating naman sa ‘to do business’ para magtrabaho na sabi ng Constitution ‘majority of the members,’ hindi naman sinabi ‘all of the members,’ kaya yung Avelino vs. Cuenco it makes sense,” Pimentel said in a radio interview.
He noted that if the regular Senate leadership is absent or refuses to convene the chamber, the members present and prepared to do their jobs hold the power to elect an interim leader.
“Kaya nga ang majority diyan yung 12. Nag-elect sila ng acting Senate president. Ibig sabihin dalawa na purpose. Acting presiding officer kung mas marami kayo gusto magtrabaho [at] yung designated presiding officers ninyo ay absent or bino-boycott kayo, mag-elect kayo ng acting presiding officer,” he explained.
“Kaya siguro ginamit titulong ‘acting Senate President’ para may administrative head ang Senado. Yung trabaho ng Senate president na pumirma ng cheke para tumakbo ang institusyon, gagampanan ng acting Senate president,” he added.
Pimentel also criticized the ongoing session boycott staged by the faction of embattled Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, urging lawmakers to prioritize their constitutional obligations over political disputes.
“Ganito na lang ang gawin nila. Sundin nila ang acting Senate president. Yung former Senate president na tingin niya siya pa ring Senate president ngayon, kapag may i-issue siyang order katulad noong sa mga banta niya… kung mangyari iyon, iyong empleyado pwede niya i-contest sa Civil Service Commission or korte,” he said, pointing out that such conflicts could escalate into a “justiciable controversy.”
The former Senate leader further stated that even if both competing sides attend upcoming sessions—including Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who is currently in hiding—the coalition that commands the majority among those present will retain the power to steer the chamber’s proceedings.