House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos welcomed the election of Senator Win Gatchalian as the new Senate President on Wednesday, expressing optimism for a productive partnership on the administration’s legislative priorities.
Speaking in an interview, Representative Marcos extended his well-wishes to the newly elected leader on behalf of the lower chamber.
“On behalf of the House, we would like to congratulate Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian. We look forward to working with him,” Marcos remarked during an interview.
The lawmaker described Gatchalian as a pragmatic and rational leader, noting that his steady leadership comes at a crucial time following a month of intense political maneuvering and leadership disputes within the Senate.
“I have worked with him during my time as a congressman. And I know how level-headed he can be. I think that’s exactly what this current political climate needs, especially there in the Senate,” Marcos stated.
Marcos further underscored the urgency of restoring institutional order to keep legislative work moving forward.
“Level-headedness and just the need for all of us to really get back to it,” he added.
Gatchalian formally took over the Senate presidency during a special session on Wednesday, bringing an end to the multi-week standoff that had stalled the chamber.
When asked by reporters how the leadership shakeup might affect the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Marcos declined to speculate on the outcome.
“I don’t think I’m really the best party to comment on that,” he said. “But I believe in all the senators’ ability to be impartial and fair.”