Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian assured on Saturday, October 4, that the leadership of Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III remains firm and stable, despite growing talk of internal rifts following the controversy surrounding the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood control projects.
Gatchalian made the statement in response to Senator JV Ejercito’s remarks that he and four other senators had considered forming an independent bloc separate from the Sotto-led majority amid the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s ongoing probe into alleged corruption in flood control programs.
“Unang-una, ako nakikita ko na stable ang leadership ni Senator (Tito) Sotto,” Gatchalian said in an interview.
He confirmed having a private discussion with Ejercito but declined to go into detail, saying his focus remains on pressing national issues.
“Nag-uusap kami pero hindi ko na rin pag-uusapan muna kung ano yung mga napag-uusapan namin o ano yung aking feelings. Ang importante ay maayos itong 2026 budget at matulungan natin yung mga tinamaan ng lindol at ng bagyo,” he said.
As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Gatchalian stressed that Sotto has been deeply engaged in the preparation and review of the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
“Madalas kami mag-usap, in fact, almost two to three times a week kami nagmi-meeting tungkol sa budget. Kinokonsulta ko sa kanya yung mga reporma na gusto kong gawin at very supportive naman siya,” he said.
He also commended Sotto’s consultative approach, noting that the Senate President values inclusivity and transparency in the budget process.
“Itong budget ay para sa buong bansa, kaya importante na may consultation at maayos na deliberasyon. Nakikita ko na gusto ni Senator Sotto na maayos at tapat ang proseso,” Gatchalian added.
Gatchalian further revealed that both he and Sotto agreed with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to do away with the certificate of urgency for the 2026 budget deliberations.
“Kung matatandaan mo dati, second and third reading, isang araw lang, walang panahon para mag-review. Wala nang gano’n. Pag na-approve sa second reading, bibigyan namin ng tatlong araw ang mga senador para makapag-review pa,” he explained.
The senator also expressed support for allowing the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) to take over the investigation into the flood control irregularities, saying it would help remove political color from the process.
“Mas maganda na sila na lang ang magpatuloy nito para maging mas komprehensibo at hindi nagagamit ang Senado sa mga political agenda. Alam mo, politicians kami lahat—may kanya-kanyang interes yan,” Gatchalian said.
“Para matanggal ang political bias, mas mainam na ibigay na lang ito sa ICI,” he added.