After a period of strained relations between the Senate and the House of Representatives, Senate President Francis Escudero and Speaker Martin Romualdez formally had their first meeting on Thursday, signaling better working relationship between their chambers moving forward.
“Today’s productive meeting marks the beginning of a renewed and strengthened partnership between our two chambers. Together, we are committed to working towards a more united and effective legislative body that can better serve the needs of our nation,” Escudero said.
The new Senate President described their first meeting as productive and encouraging. He said he looks forward to meeting Romualdez again as they prepare for the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Marcos.
“It is during this important event that the President will lay down his priority legislative measures, and it is imperative that both the Senate and the House are aligned and ready to support these initiatives,” Escudero said.
According to the seasoned politician out of Sorsogon, this initial engagement was an essential step in re-establishing a strong and collaborative relationship with the House leadership.
“We have agreed to keep the lines of communication open to prevent misunderstandings and to promote a collaborative legislative environment,” Escudero said.
“This is crucial for the smooth passage of laws that will benefit our country and our people, ” he added.
In particular, they have committed to ensure the passage of the remaining priority bills identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), which are vital for our country’s progress and development.
He also mentioned that their discussions focused on bridging the gaps that have previously existed and establishing a framework for more open, transparent, and continuous communication moving forward.
“Speaker Romualdez and I are united in our commitment to ensuring that our legislative efforts are synchronized and centered on the best interests of our nation.”
In the said meeting, they also stressed the importance of upholding checks and balances to prevent any single branch from becoming too powerful.
“This ensures accountability, transparency, and effective governance, allowing for healthy debate and the creation of legislation that truly serves the people’s interests,” Escudero said.