Benise Balaoing

Newly elected Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian addresses the media in his first press conference outlining his priorities for legislative continuity and institutional stability at the Senate of the Philippines on June 18, 2026. Gatchalian underscored his call to action, “balik trabaho na,” by emphasizing the immediate need for lawmakers to return to work and focus on pending measures, signaling a renewed push for productivity and swift action on key national legislation under his leadership. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

SENATE PRESIDENT SHERWIN GATCHALIAN

Jekki Pascual

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA -- Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian announced the creation of an ad hoc committee at the Senate specifically to tackle how to revive the economy.</p><p>Gatchalian said they may launch next week the new committee to be called Reinvigorate Investment and Sustainable Economic Growth (RISE) Ad Hoc Committee. Chairpersons from various Senate committees will join this new group to discuss measures to help uplift the economy.</p><p>At the event organized by the Management Association of the Philippines, Gatchalian said the Philippine economy had a <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/8/7/gdp-growth-further-skids-to-2-3-percent-in-second-quarter-1006" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">weak growth</a> in recent quarters and there are also several external challenges, hence the need to talk about reviewing the economy with legislation in mind.</p><p>“We’re expecting recommendations to the executive, recommendations on legislation, budget allocations to certain programs, for example MSMEs, so yun mga expectations namin,” Gatchalian said.</p><p>Meanwhile, Gatchalian also expressed his support for Pax Silica, saying it would create jobs and also beef up the economy. But he also said that the Senate will review and monitor the project so it will be beneficial to the Filipinos and that the environment is also protected.</p><p>“I support Pax Silica. It&#x27;s a once-in-a-lifetime chance. There are risks, there are downsides. Those things can be mitigated. Those things can be addressed. But we have to look at the bigger picture- jobs and moving up the value chain,” he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/8/18/aetas-fear-ancestral-graves-could-be-destroyed-by-pax-silica-1712" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&#x27;Mga ninuno namin &#x27;yon&#x27;: Aetas fear ancestral graves could be destroyed by Pax Silica</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/17/dbm-dof-chiefs-confirm-no-allocation-for-pax-silica-in-2027-budget-1924" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">DBM, DOF chiefs confirm no allocation for Pax Silica in 2027 budget</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/8/6/business-leaders-pax-silica-seen-to-lift-ph-economy-create-thousands-of-jobs-0012" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Business leaders: Pax Silica seen to lift PH economy, create thousands of jobs</a></div>

<p>Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian announced the creation of an ad hoc committee at the Senate that will tackle how to revive the economy.</p>

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian announced the creation of an ad hoc committee at the Senate that will tackle how to revive the economy.

Gatchalian to form Senate ad hoc committee to revive economy

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Gatchalian to form Senate ad hoc committee to revive economy

Jekki Pascual,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 20, 2026 04:58 PM PHT

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Updated August 20, 2026 04:59 PM PHT

Read More:

Pax Silica

economy

economic growth

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