Sherwin Gatchalian
Filipino politician and businessman (born 1974)
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Sherwin "Win" Ting Gatchalian (born April 6, 1974) is a Filipino politician and businessman who has served as the 34th president of the Senate of the Philippines since 2026. A member of the Nationalist People's Coalition, he is in his second term as a Senator of the Philippines, having been elected to the chamber in 2016.
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Sherwin Gatchalian | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Gatchalian in 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 34th President of the Senate of the Philippines | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office June 17, 2026[a] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Alan Peter Cayetano | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| President pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office June 3, 2026 – June 17, 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Loren Legarda | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Tito Sotto | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senator of the Philippines | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office June 30, 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Valenzuela's 1st district | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office June 30, 2013 – June 30, 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Rex Gatchalian | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Wes Gatchalian | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | New district | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Jose Emmanuel Carlos | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 25th Mayor of Valenzuela | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vice Mayor | Antonio Espiritu (2004–2007) Eric Martinez (2007–2013) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Jose Emmanuel Carlos | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Rex Gatchalian | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Sherwin Ting Gatchalian April 6, 1974 Manila, Philippines | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Party | Nationalist People's Coalition | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Relations |
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| Boston University (BS) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Politician | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website | Official website | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gatchalian previously served as the representative of Valenzuela's first district from 2001 to 2004 and from 2013 to 2016. From 2004 to 2013, he served as the 25th mayor of Valenzuela.
Early life and education
Gatchalian was born to industrialist William Gatchalian and Dee Hua Ting. He is the eldest of four siblings, including namely Kenneth, Rex, and Wes Gatchalian. The Gatchalian family is of Chinese descent.[1]
Gatchalian finished his elementary and secondary education at Grace Christian High School in the 1980s[2][non-primary source needed] in Quezon City and graduated with a degree in Finance and Operations Management from Boston University in 1995.[3][non-primary source needed]
First term in Congress (2001–2004)
In 2001, Gatchalian was elected to the House of Representatives of the Philippines as the inaugural representative for Valenzuela's first district, which was established in 1998. He ran for the seat under the banner of the Nationalist People's Coalition, a party he would continue to affiliate with throughout his political career.[4] His election started the first generation of politicians from his family, which includes Rex Gatchalian, who has served as secretary of social welfare and development since 2023, and Wes Gatchalian, who has served as the mayor of Valenzuela since 2022.[5][6]
Gatchalian did chose not to seek re-election as representative to run for mayor of Valenzuela in 2004.
Mayor of Valenzuela (2004–2013)
During his nine-year tenure as local chief executive, Gatchalian prioritized good governance in the City Government of Valenzuela. He aimed to deliver reforms that aimed to eradicate corruption, foster growth in the local business sector, and improve the provision of social services in education, health, in-city housing, and other key areas.[7][dead link][8][9][dead link]
While in office, Gatchalian institute the "Win ang Edukasyon Program" (lit. transl. Education Wins Program).[10][non-primary source needed][11]
Return to the House (2013–2016)
When Gatchalian returned to the Lower House in 2013, he filed education-related measures to increase the number of math and science high schools across the country and to establish a nationwide school-based feeding program for kinder and elementary students across the country. On July 6, 2015, he filed the original version of House Bill No. 5905,[12] known as the Free Higher Education Act, that translated into the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. He also supports the implementation of K–12 education in the Philippines as an investment for the future of younger generations.[13]
Some of his other proposed bills during this term include acts regulating parking fees in malls and commercial areas,[14] including the completion of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program among the prerequisites for tertiary level graduation,[15] increasing the budget for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to transform its global image,[16] abolishing the Road Board (a government agency that handled motor vehicle users' tax and road users' tax),[17] protecting passengers against abusive and itinerant taxi drivers,[18] for the declaration of candidates seeking to profit from election polls as nuisance candidates,[19] as well as a proposed bill requiring proofs of parking space to car purchasers as a means to lessen traffic congestion.[20]
Senate (2016–present)
Elections
In June 2015, in an event in Quezon, Gatchalian announced his bid for a Senate seat in the 2016 general election. In October 2015, senator and presidential candidate Grace Poe announced her senatorial slate under the coalition Partido Galing at Puso which included Gatchalian.[21] He eventually won, receiving 14,953,768 votes[22] and placing 10th in the senatorial race.
In October 2021, he filed a certificate of candidacy to for a second term as Senator.[23] He was re-elected.
Tenure
Upon being elected Senator, Gatchalian urged then-incoming President Rodrigo Duterte to make education reform a top priority of his administration.[24] In the 17th Congress, Gatchalian served as chairman of the Committee on Energy[25][26] and Committee on Economic Affairs.[27] In the 18th Congress, he served again as the chairman of the energy committee and also of the Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture.[28]
In July 2024, Gatchalian joined Risa Hontiveros on leading a Senate inquiry on Bamban mayor Alice Guo over her dubious Filipino citizenship status and links to a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator in her town which was raided for involvement in suspected illicit activities.[29][30]
Senate presidency (2026–president)
Prelude
Following the election of Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate president on May 11, 2026, Gatchalian became part of the Senate minority bloc composed of 11 Senators led by Tito Sotto in an acting capacity. While in the minority, the faction had discussed a potential ouster of Cayetano from the post and consolidated their support behind Gatchalian as their preferred candidate for the position.[31][32] By May 22, he had expressed his readiness to take the position, a plan that Cayetano acknowledged in the press.[33][34]
Election
From June 1 to 2, the Cayetano bloc refused to attend Senate sessions following the arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada on plunder charges, which occurred on Senate premises.[35] Their absence led to a legislative impasse, which prohibited the chamber from conducting any business due to a lack of a quorum, a consequence that led to Gatchalian's bloc calling for Cayetano's resignation.[36][37]
On June 3, Gatchalian's bloc was joined by Senator Francis Escudero, allowing them to constitute a quorum to call a session on the day of the Senate's sine die adjournment.[38] During the meeting, all elective positions, including the Senate presidency, were declared vacant, with Gatchalian elected as Senate president pro tempore and committee leaderships reshuffled among members of his faction.[39] Without the 13 votes needed to elect the Senate presidency, the post remained vacant, with Gatchalian taking over the positon in an acting capacity.[40]
The outcome of the session, including Gatchalian's election as Senate president pro tempore, was recognized by both the House of Representatives and President Bongbong Marcos,[41][42] together with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, citing the bloc's application of the 1949 Supreme Court ruling Avelino v. Cuenco.[43][44]
However, Cayetano contested the legitimacy of the move and continued to claim the Senate presidency, filing a petition to the Supreme Court on June 16 to nullify the leadership change.[45][46] That same day, Senator Erwin Tulfo confirmed that at least two of their colleagues were planning to back Gatchalian for the Senate presidency.[47]
On June 17, Cayetano conceded that Gatchalian secured enough votes to be elected to the Senate presidency, ending the leadership dispute between their camps.[48] Later that day, Gatchalian was formally elected Senate president in a special session, with Senator Joel Villanueva joining his bloc to complete the 13 votes needed for his election to the office by acclamation.[49][50][51]
Awards and recognition
Personal awards
Personal life
In 2007, Gatchalian began a relationship with actress and television host Pauleen Luna.[56] The couple separated in 2008.[57] In 2018, he began dating actress and beauty queen Bianca Manalo.[58] In an interview in January 2026, Gatchalian stated that his relationship was "non-existent", which was widely interpreted as confirmation that he and Manalo had ended their relationship.[59]
