Newly-appointed DSWD chief Gatchalian officially resigns as House member

Newly – appointed DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian

MANILA, Philippines — Erstwhile Valenzuela City 1st District Rep. Rex Gatchalian has officially tendered his resignation as a member of the House of Representatives following his recent appointment as Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) secretary.

A copy of Gatchalian’s letter to House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez was released by the latter’s office on Monday. 

With the resignation, Gatchalian also vacated his position as the chairperson of the House Committee on local government.

“Dear Speaker Romualdez, please accept this letter as my official resignation as Representative of the 1st District of Valenzuela City and as Chairman of the Committee on Local Government effective January 31,” Gatchalian said in the letter dated February 1.

“It was an honor and privilege to have served as a member of the House of Representatives in the 19th Congress and as Chairman of the Committee on Local Government under your able leadership,” he added.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. named Gatchalian, brother of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, as the new DSWD chief. 

Gatchalian replaces broadcaster Erwin Tulfo whose designation was deferred by the Commission on Appointments.

Several lawmakers, including Romualdez himself, welcomed Gatchalian’s appointment, saying that the loss of the House is the gain of the said department.

  gsg