President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. greets Senate President Pro tempore Sherwin Gatchalian 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 — Sen. Panfilo Lacson said that the crowd’s applause for Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian during Friday’s Independence Day rites reflected public approval of his Senate leadership.
The senator said in a post on X, “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.’”
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.
Cheering from the crowd followed as Marcos mentioned Gatchalian’s name during his speech.
