Speaker Dy: Sherwin Gatchalian-led Senate will discharge duties with integrity

Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III on Wednesday expressed the House of Representatives’ support to newly elected Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, saying the House is confident that the Gatchalian-led Senate will uphold integrity and public interest.

Dy issued the statement after the Senate was able to hold session after two days of failing to do so, due to Senate President Alan Cayetano and the then-majority bloc's refusal to show up on June 1 and 2.

“On behalf of the House of Representatives, we extend our warmest congratulations to the Acting Senate President, Sherwin Gatchalian, on your assumption of this important responsibility. We wish Acting Senate President Gatchalian every success as he leads the chamber in addressing the challenges and opportunities before our country,” Dy said.

He added that a fully functioning Senate is essential to advancing legislation, exercising oversight, and upholding democratic governance.

“We are confident that under your stewardship, the Senate will continue to discharge its constitutional duties with integrity, independence, and dedication to the public interest,” Dy added.

The Cayetano-led bloc had skipped Senate sessions since one of its members, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, was arrested on plunder and graft charges last June 1.

The Senate was able to hold session on June 3 and elect Gatchalian after another member of the Cayetano-led bloc, Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero, eventually showed up, enabling a quorum.

For Senate action

In a separate speech before the House adjourned sine die, Dy said that the chamber has transmitted 160 measures to the Senate, while the House has approved the 26 out of the 52 priority measures endorsed by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) on third and final reading.

These LEDAC priority bills already approved on third and final reading by the House include:

• the Anti-Political Dynasty bill
• Right to Information Act
• amendments to the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act
• Waste-to-Energy Bill / Waste Treatment Technology Act
• Anti-Fake News and Disinformation Act

“We are not a perfect institution, but we strive to do our jobs well. Because as I said before, trust is not demanded. It is earned,” Dy said.

“Statements, press conferences and empty promises are not enough. We need to show concrete solutions in the form of laws that generate economic opportunities, strengthen our institutions, protect our most vulnerable sectors, and ultimately raise the quality of life of every Filipino family,” he added. — BM, GMA News