MANILA, Philippines — House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos of Ilocos Norte on Wednesday welcomed the election of Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate president, saying it would allow the Senate to move past its leadership dispute and refocus on pending work.
“On behalf of the House, we would like to congratulate Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian. We look forward to working with him,” Marcos said in an ambush interview.
According to the House leader, Gatchalian’s election provides an opportunity for the Senate to move beyond weeks of internal tensions that had disrupted its work.
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He said the new Senate president’s temperament and leadership style make him well-suited to help restore stability and focus in the institution.
“I have worked with him and I know how level-headed he can be. So I think that’s exactly what this current political climate needs, especially there in the Senate, level-headedness and just the need for all of us to really get back to work,” Marcos said.
The Majority Leader noted that Congress still has several matters to act on during the special session called by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., despite the House having already approved many of the administration’s priority measures.
He said House members are awaiting the ratification of several bicameral conference committee reports, while the Commission on Appointments is expected to take up pending promotions and appointments, including those involving senior military officials.
“We passed a number of resolutions, we are awaiting some bicam reports for ratification, and of course for the Committee on Appointments to appoint and confirm the pending matters to do with the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he said.
Marcos said the Senate leadership impasse had delayed the confirmation of several military officials due for promotion.
“I believe it’s the 7 or 8, the generals who were due for promotion but as a result of the leadership struggle in the Senate were not able to be confirmed, so that is what we are waiting for now,” he said.
Gatchalian formally assumed the Senate presidency after weeks-long leadership battle that had effectively stalled much of the chamber’s work. /mr
