The leadership of the House of Representatives is looking forward to a “more harmonious” working relationship with the Senate under the stewardship of newly elected Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

In a press conference on Tuesday, House Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe emphasized the importance of aligning legislative priorities between the House and the Senate to fulfill the commitments outlined in the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).

“We look forward to the relationship of the House and the Senate under the

leadership of Senate President Chiz Escudero and Speaker Martin Romualdez na sa tingin ko mas magiging harmonious. We can work closely together and I think the senators also are very eager to finish the other priority measures agreed upon in the LEDAC,” Dalipe said.

The lawmaker from the second district of Zamboanga City underscored the importance of unity and cooperation between the two chambers of Congress, especially in advancing crucial legislative measures for the benefit of the Filipino people.

Dalipe expressed confidence that Escudero’s leadership will prioritize economic reforms and foster greater synergy in legislative efforts.

“I am very optimistic that with this new leadership in the Senate, Senate President Chiz will be unifying. I am optimistic that he will also push for economic reforms needed in the Constitution,” Dalipe said.

Dalipe also expects that the new Senate leadership will prioritize amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law.

He emphasized that the House is currently awaiting Senate action on 732 national and local bills, while also noting that the bigger chamber has already passed 56 out of 59 LEDAC priority measures.

In response to the recent Senate leadership change, Dalipe noted that the decision of the upper chamber to elect Escudero as its new leader signifies a collective endorsement by the majority.

He emphasized that such a decision is rooted in the dynamics of trust and confidence among senators, reflecting a shared vision for legislative progress.

“In any house, whether it is the House of Representatives or the Senate, it is a numbers game, and that numbers game is based on trust and confidence,” Dalipe pointed out.

“What was shown yesterday in the Senate, a majority of the members of the Senate gave their trust and confidence to their new Senate president, Chiz Escudero,” he added.