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MANILA, Philippines — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said Wednesday the chairmanships of major committees in the Senate for the 18th Congress may help senators who would campaign for reelection in 2022.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel, Gatchalian said committees like those for health and education may help reelectionists in the next polls since these are “very visible and are direct-to-the-people committees.”
“We also have to understand, we have some of our colleagues, our friends, who are reelectionists. Some of the committees can help them win their reelections, and that’s not bad, given they can [lead the major committees],” he said.
“Since we are all part of the majority, tulungan natin ang mga reelectionists manalo, because at the end of the day we are supporting and cooperative of the administration’s bills” he added.
Gatchalian, whose term will end in 2022, is vying for chairmanship of the Senate education committee. Two others senators vie for the position — Senator Joel Villanueva, whose term will also end in 2022, and Senator-elect Pia Cayetano.
READ: 3 senators want to head education committee – Sotto
Aside from being a reelectionist senator in the next polls, Gatchalian said he wants the post since developing the education sector is his advocacy and has been one of his projects during his terms as mayor and congressman of Valenzuela City.
He adds that he also gave up the post, which he wanted as a newbie senator in 2016, to Senator Bam Aquino.
“Ganyan ‘yung dynamics, it’s a give and take. But we also have to help our colleagues to campaign for the next three years,” said Gatchalian.
“I have a lot of ideas on how to reform the sector and making sure that this sector will be tuned to the fourth industrial revolution. These are the things that I want to do,” he added.
Aquino was chair of the Senate education committee for a while during the 17th Congress, while Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito headed the health committee. Both sought reelection in the May 13 polls but lost in the senatorial race. (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)