Gatchalian Wins Senate Presidency With 13-Member Quorum as Villanueva Joins Bloc

Q: Malacañang vows to enforce ICC warrants. Is a key presidential ally, Senator Bong Go, next on the list?

Yes—Bong Go is plausibly among those at risk of a future ICC warrant, but as of now there is no public confirmation that a warrant against him has been issued or unsealed. What is clear is Malacañang’s position. Palace press officer Claire Castro said future ICC warrants against alleged co-perpetrators in Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war case should be enforced immediately by Philippine law enforcers, without needing local court approval, citing Republic Act No. 9851. That policy matters because the government is already under pressure to act on the unsealed ICC warrant against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa. Go’s exposure comes from ICC case documents that reportedly identify him, along with several others, as an alleged indirect co-perpetrator in Duterte’s crimes against humanity case tied to the anti-drug campaign. Duterte’s case is already advancing: the ICC has confirmed charges against the former president and moved the case toward trial, while prosecutors continue pursuing other alleged participants. That does not mean Go is “next” in any official sense. The ICC has not publicly announced a warrant for him, and no Philippine authority has said one has been received. But the combination of Malacañang’s pledge to enforce new warrants, the ICC’s naming of alleged co-perpetrators, and reports that investigators expect additional warrants makes him one of the most closely watched figures. So the short answer is: not confirmed, but clearly possible.

3 articles · Updated · Philstar.com · Jun 17

13 senators present at Tuesday’s special session elected and swore in Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate president, formalizing his bloc’s takeover after weeks of deadlock.
Joel Villanueva’s attendance gave the Gatchalian camp a 13-member quorum, while Alan Peter Cayetano’s allies stayed away and Cayetano conceded he no longer had the numbers.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had called the special session to clear priority measures, Commission on Appointments business and expiring senior military promotions while Congress is on break.
Tito Sotto was then sworn in as Senate president pro tempore, Miguel Zubiri took his oath as rules chair, and Erwin Tulfo was reconfirmed to lead the Blue Ribbon Committee.