The Senate broke a two-day leadership deadlock on Wednesday after former Senate President Francis Escudero joined the chamber’s session, paving the way for the election of Sherwin Gatchalian as the new Senate president and the reorganization of key committees. The leadership change is expected to face legal and procedural challenges from allies of former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, who dispute the validity of the proceedings. Among the chamber’s first actions under the new leadership was the designation of a presiding officer for impeachment trials, except in cases involving the President, signaling efforts to restore the Senate’s legislative and constitutional functions after days of paralysis.