President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. greets Senate President Pro tempore Sherwin Gatchlian during the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony for the 128th Independence Day celebration on June 12, 2026, at Rizal Park, Luneta, Manila. This year’s theme, “Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan”(Freedom, Future, History). INQUIRER PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — The applause that greeted Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. acknowledged him during Independence Day rites on Friday showed public acceptance of his leadership of the Senate, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said.
“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 acknowledged by Marcos during the Independence Day celebration at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila when the President recognized government officials attending the event.
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