With the election of new Congress leaders, Malacañang yesterday pushed for the swift approval of the proposed revival of the death penalty and Charter Change for a shift to a federal form of government.
Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Martin Andanar laid down some of President Duterte’s priority measures as he hailed the assumption of new Senate President Koko Pimentel and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez at the start of the 17th Congress.
“We look forward to a pro-active cooperation between the Executive and Legislative branches,” Andanar said in a statement.
“We hope that this would expeditiously address issues and concerns regarding President Rodrigo Duterte’s priority legislative measures for the Filipino people, particularly the reinstatement of death penalty to fight drugs and heinous crimes, amendments to the Constitution to pave the way for federalism, and reforms to achieve his 10-point economic agenda,” he added.
Pimentel took his oath as new Senate President after earning 20 votes from fellow senators. Alvarez, representative of Davao del Norte, was elected the next House Speaker by 251 members of the House. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)