Senate President Pro Tempore and Acting Senate chief Sherwin Gatchalian says the chamber will resume work, stressing the need to address unfinished legislative business and urgent concerns affecting the public.
In a press conference on Thursday, June 4, 2026, Gatchalian said the priority is to ensure that the Senate would function as a complete institution regardless of whether senators belong to the majority or minority bloc.
“What is important now is that the Senate remains intact. I am not looking at whether one belongs to the minority or the majority; what we are looking at is the Senate as a whole,” Gatchalian said in mixed English and Filipino.
The senator’s remark came after the Senate failed to hold sessions for consecutive days due to a lack of quorum, leaving several measures and appointments pending, including the anti-hospital detention legislation and the confirmation of five military generals.
“We have a lot of work to do. What we want is to get back to work,” he said.
The lawmaker said senators are currently reviewing a list of pending bills and appointments that may need to be addressed through a special session. He added that consultations with fellow senators are ongoing to determine which measures require urgent action.
“I need to consult our senators first so we can determine what needs to be approved during a special session,” he said.
Gatchalian also stressed the need to coordinate with the House of Representatives to determine what measures remain pending and what legislative actions were left undone before Congress adjourned on June 3.
Beyond legislative concerns, the senator warned about the continuing impact of inflation on Filipino households, saying the issue has received less attention amid recent political developments involving the Senate.
He noted that global factors continue to pose risks to prices, particularly ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Gatchalian said the conflict involving Iran could continue to keep oil prices elevated, with potential consequences for domestic inflation.
The senator emphasized the need for lawmakers to remain focused on delivering solutions to the public’s day-to-day concerns, noting that many Filipinos feel their struggles have been overshadowed by recent developments.
“I have spoken with many of our fellow Filipinos. In their minds, it feels as though they have been forgotten because of what they have been seeing and reading about the Senate,” he said.
Gatchalian assured the public that their concerns remain a priority for lawmakers.
“We have not forgotten you. We will address the problems facing our country, and we will ensure that the hardships people are experiencing are met with solutions,” he said. (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)
Reference: https://senate.gov.ph/media/photo-release/back-to-work-gatchalian-pledges-senate-action-on-public-concerns-2
