Sherwin Gatchalian urges senators: Let's start anew

Newly elected Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday called on his colleagues in both majority and minority blocs to begin again, work together, and reclaim the Senate’s sense of purpose after weeks of deadlock.

In his acceptance address of the Senate presidency during the special session, Gatchalian committed to serve the institution and the people with full respect, diligence, and loyalty.

“Ngayong araw, nananawagan ako sa lahat ng aking kasamahan sa Senado—mayorya man o minorya—na magsimula tayong muli, magkaisa sa paglilingkod, at harapin nang sama-sama ang mga hamon ng ating bansa,” he said.

(Today, I call on all my colleagues in the Senate—majority or minority—that we begin again, unite in service, and face the challenges of our country together.)

“Maaaring magkakaiba ang ating mga pananaw, ngunit iisa ang ating misyon—ipagtanggol ang batas at maglingkod sa bayan. Iisa ang ating layunin: alagaan ang kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino,” he added.

(We may have different views, but our mission is the same—to defend the law and serve the people. Our goal is one: to take care of the welfare of every Filipino.)

Gatchalian also thanked his fellow senators for the trust and by electing him to the post.

“Tinatanggap ko ang tungkuling ito nang may buong kababaang-loob at malinaw na pagkaunawa sa bigat ng responsibilidad na kaakibat nito. Humaharap ako sa inyo bilang kapwa lingkod-bayan. Handa akong makinig, makipagtulungan, at ibuhos ang aking buong lakas upang gampanan ang tungkuling ipinagkatiwala sa akin,” he said.

(I accept this role with all humility and a clear understanding of the weight of responsibility that comes with it. I come before you as a fellow public servant. I am ready to listen, cooperate, and pour all my energy to fulfill the role entrusted to me.)

“Ang pagkakataong maglingkod bilang Senate President ay hindi pangkaraniwang karangalan. Ito ay araw-araw na panawagan na maging huwaran sa paglilingkod. Higit sa lahat, ang tungkuling ito ay pananagutan—sa Senado, sa ating Saligang Batas, at sa sambayanang Pilipino,” he continued.

(The opportunity to serve as Senate President is an extraordinary honor. It is a daily call to be exemplary in service. Above all, this role is a responsibility—to the Senate, to our Constitution, and to the Filipino people.)

Several members of the new minority bloc, meanwhile, acknowledged the Senate presidency of Gatchalian.

“First time I’m addressing Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate President. Congratulations once again for a very—a hardworking, dedicated, brilliant, disciplined public servant,” Senator Loren L