The Philippine Senate formally elected Sherwin Gatchalian, an ally of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as Senate president during a special session, replacing Alan Peter Cayetano, an ally of Vice President Sara Duterte, The Philippine Star reported on June 17. All 13 senators present backed Gatchalian while Cayetano's bloc was absent, after Marcos called the special session to pass urgent bills, including an anti-political dynasty measure and an act on pending government appointments.