Sen. Loren Legarda on Wednesday said she now recognizes the Senate majority led by Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian after the bloc secured the support of 13 senators.
Speaking to reporters at the Senate, Legarda said the issue ultimately comes down to whether a group has obtained the votes of a majority of all Senate members.
“Trese na, e. ‘Di ba? Trese na. Noong dose, hindi pa. Pero trese na,” Legarda said.
She cited Rule II, Section 2 of the Rules of the Senate, which provides that Senate officers shall be elected by a majority vote of all members.
“What Rule II, Section 2 of the Rules of the Senate? All officers of the Senate will be elected by a majority of all its members. Twenty-four divided by two plus one ay mayorya,” she said.
Legarda added that she has consistently maintained that a majority of the chamber’s 24 members is required to establish Senate leadership.
“Mula sa simula naman ay ganoon, e,” she said.
The senator also acknowledged former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano’s decision to concede after Gatchalian’s camp secured 13 votes.
“Oo naman. Nag-concede na siya kaninang umaga. Simple lang ito, kapag may mayorya ka ng twenty-four, a majority of all its members, then you have the leadership,” Legarda said.
“Ganoon kasimple. Sundin lang natin ang rules,” she added.
Gatchalian was formally elected Senate president during a special session on Wednesday after his bloc secured the support of 13 senators, giving it a clear majority in the 24-member chamber.
