Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian on Sunday said that while he respects Senator Loren Legarda’s opinion on the Senate leadership reshuffle, he believes the Integrated Bar of the Philippines’ and other lawyer associations’ opinions carry more weight.

“Of course we respect her opinion but matibay rin ang opinyon ng Integrated Bar of the Philippines (at) ‘yung association ng mga law school dean. Of course, ‘yung mga former Senate president(s), nagsalita rin sila. So para sa’kin my personal opinion, mas mabigat ‘yung opinyon nila dahil ‘yung mga ganitong bagay, pinag-aaralan nila,” Gatchalian told reporters.

On Thursday, Senator Legarda disputed Gatchalian’s leadership, arguing that, under the 1987 Constitution, majority of all senators—the count including embattled Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa—must be obtained in order to unseat the incumbent Senate president.

“Mga kapwa ko Pilipino, malinaw na nakasaad sa Konstitusyon: walang sinumang senador ang maaaring lehitimong tumayo bilang Pangulo ng Senado batay lamang sa labindalawang boto. Ito ay pinagtibay sa ilalim ng 1987 Constitution,” Legarda said.

“Sa Article 6 Section 16, Subsection 1 ng 1987 Constitution, the Senate shall elect its President by a majority vote of all its members. Ang ibig pong sabihin, makakapaghalal lamang ng isang Senate President kung makakuha siya ng mayoryang boto ng lahat ng miyembro ng Senado,” she explained.