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Sandro Marcos Welcomes Gatchalian As Senate President
Photo credit: Senate PH
House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos on Wednesday welcomed the election of Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate President, saying the change in leadership would allow the upper chamber to move past weeks of political tensions and refocus on unfinished work.
Speaking to reporters, Marcos extended the House of Representatives’ congratulations to Gatchalian and expressed optimism about working closely with the new Senate leader.
“On behalf of the House, we would like to congratulate Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian. We look forward to working with him,” Marcos said.
The Ilocos Norte lawmaker said Gatchalian’s leadership style and temperament make him the right person to help restore stability in the Senate, which had been dealing with a prolonged leadership dispute that slowed down its operations.
“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.
According to the House Majority Leader, Congress still has a number of important matters to tackle during the special session called by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Although the House has already passed several priority measures of the administration, Marcos said lawmakers are still waiting for the ratification of bicameral conference committee reports and action from the Commission on Appointments.
Among the pending matters are the promotions and confirmations of several officials from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“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 noted that the Senate leadership impasse had delayed the confirmation of several military officers who were up 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 took over the Senate presidency following a weeks-long leadership battle that had effectively stalled much of the chamber’s legislative work. With a new Senate chief now in place, both chambers of Congress are expected to resume work on pending measures and appointments.
The House Majority Leader said the focus now should be on governance and ensuring that Congress fulfills its responsibilities to the Filipino people.
Speaking to reporters, Marcos extended the House of Representatives’ congratulations to Gatchalian and expressed optimism about working closely with the new Senate leader.
“On behalf of the House, we would like to congratulate Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian. We look forward to working with him,” Marcos said.
The Ilocos Norte lawmaker said Gatchalian’s leadership style and temperament make him the right person to help restore stability in the Senate, which had been dealing with a prolonged leadership dispute that slowed down its operations.
“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.
According to the House Majority Leader, Congress still has a number of important matters to tackle during the special session called by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Although the House has already passed several priority measures of the administration, Marcos said lawmakers are still waiting for the ratification of bicameral conference committee reports and action from the Commission on Appointments.
Among the pending matters are the promotions and confirmations of several officials from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“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 noted that the Senate leadership impasse had delayed the confirmation of several military officers who were up 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 took over the Senate presidency following a weeks-long leadership battle that had effectively stalled much of the chamber’s legislative work. With a new Senate chief now in place, both chambers of Congress are expected to resume work on pending measures and appointments.
The House Majority Leader said the focus now should be on governance and ensuring that Congress fulfills its responsibilities to the Filipino people.
Jun 17, 2026
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