Gatchalian’s birthday wish: A stronger, harmonious Senate

A “stronger” and “harmonious” Senate was neophyte Senator Sherwin Gatchalian’s birthday wish as he turns a year older this Friday.

But make no mistake; his wish had nothing to with how critics might have perceived the Senate. In fact, Gatchalian assured that he was “very satisfied” with Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel IV’s leadership.

“Of course, ang wish ko naman for the Senate to become more stronger, and of course, marami tayong dapat gawin para maresolba pa ‘yung mga problema natin dito,” Gatchalian said when asked for his birthday wish during a Senate forum on Thursday.

(Of course, my wish for the Senate is to become stronger, and of course, we have a lot of tasks to do to resolve the problems we have here.)

“I just wish that a harmonious Senate will create more productive legislation for our country,” he added.

Was it because the current leadership in the chamber was weak?

“Hindi naman, hindi naman (No, no),” the neophyte senator, explaining that there is always a room for the Senate to become stronger.

“Dapat continuously we find ways to become stronger dahil that’s the only way we can be productive e. If we work together, we become more stronger, more harmonious. That’s the only way to come up with meaningful legislation,” he said.

Asked if he was satisfied with Pimentel’s leadership, Gatchalian said he was “very satisfied.”

“The leadership demonstrated decisiveness, accommodation, and I’m very satisfied,” he added. /je