Better relations between Palace and 16th Congress seen

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives may have worked well with the Senate under the leadership of now resigned Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile but with the prospect of Liberal Party (LP) stalwarts controlling both chambers of the 16th Congress, House majority leader Neptali Gonzales sees even easier approval of key bills.

“Even during the time of JPE, the House had a good relationship with the Senate but of course, we have even better expectations with the LP Senate President likelihood,” he told reporters in a recent interview.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has received the endorsement of President Benigno Aquino III and was seen as a shoo-in for speakership in the 16th Congress despite a three-way race with Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president and Leyte Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and San Juan Representative Ronaldo Zamora.

Meanwhile, Senator Franklin Drilon is being eyed as the next Senate President, having better chances of securing the leadership as more administration allies took Senate seats in the next Congress.

If LP stalwarts indeed take over the leadership of both chambers of the 16th Congress, Gonzales said LEDAC (Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council) priority measures would surely be passed much easier.

But he clarified that having the administration party leading Congress would not mean that they would become the President’s “rubber stamp”–approving all measures seen as important by Aquino.

“Even if many see us as (the President’s) rubber stamp, the Congress has always been conscious of what is expected of us. But we don’t just pass measures just because these are certified as urgent by the Malacanang,” said the House leader.

The 15th Congress drew to a close Thursday night after it finished tackling pending measures.

When lawmakers convene in July, it will be for the President’s State of the Nation Address and the opening of the 16th Congress.