Senator Panfilo Lacson said Saturday that installing Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate president is a firm condition among him and 11 other senators.

Lacson said the move aims to restore the integrity, dignity, and reputation of the Senate, which he described as being at a “very low point.”

Describing Gatchalian as a “Solomonic solution” capable of uniting both the minority and majority blocs, Lacson said the senator could provide stable leadership and help the chamber present a united front amid ongoing controversies.

“Hope springs eternal. We continue to hope that, as soon as possible, we can restore the standing of the Senate, which is now viewed very poorly by our fellow Filipinos,” Lacson said.

The senator also stressed the need for the chamber to examine itself both individually and collectively to determine how it can regain public trust and restore the institution’s honor.

“Nowadays, nothing much happens in the session hall except dramatic and theatrical scenes, with senators shouting at one another,” Lacson said.

He called for self-reflection among lawmakers, urging senators to assess what went wrong and determine how the situation could be corrected.

Meanwhile, Lacson clarified that fund allocations are discussed during caucuses, where political matters and leadership decisions are deliberated upon.

He also acknowledged public criticism branding the 2025 national budget as the “worst” budget in history due to controversies, including alleged ghost flood control projects.

Lacson reiterated that his primary concern is restoring the Senate’s dignity and integrity.