Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is one of the top picks of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) among the senatorial candidates for the upcoming May 9 elections.

The country's largest aggrupation of organized labor groups said it is supporting Gatchalian due to his support to the TUCP’s job creation agenda and his commitment to address the need for policy and legislative reforms to ensure affordable electricity in the country and make it competitive in the ASEAN region.

“Isa sa common denominator na pinagbasehan namin sa mga napili naming mga senador ay ‘yung merong magandang track record at meron nang isinulong na batas na kasalukuyang pinakikinabangan na natin (One of the common denominator in deciding our chosen senatorial candidates are their track record and if they are already pushing for measures that would benefit us), ” said Alan Tanjusay, TUCP spokesperson.

In response, Gatchalian thanked TUCP for their endorsement and the trust they gave him.

“Makakaasa kayo na katuwang ninyo ako sa Senado lalo na kapag napagbigyan tayong muling manilbihan sa publiko (You can expect an ally in the Senate once we are given a new mandate to serve the people),” said Gatchalian, who is seeking a fresh six year term in the Senate.

The senator vowed to push some of their proposed policy and legislative measures should he be given another term in the Upper Chamber.

He said these include job generation, tax reforms to provide economic relief to workers, workers’ right to safe and healthy workplaces, poverty alleviation, ensuring a reliable supply of electricity and reduction of expensive power rates, among many others.

Gatchalian assured he shares TUCP’s vision of setting up a national railway system under a public-private partnership setup which would have a multiplier effect.

He said a national railway will not only decongest the traffic situation in Metro Manila, but also generate new jobs and business opportunities in various regions.

“Kung may maayos na railway system, hindi magiging problema sa mga manggagawa ang mamasukan sa iba’t ibang lugar dahil magiging mabilis na ang kanilang pagko-commute at mas magiging produktibo pa sila, (If we have an efficient railway system, our workers won't have any problem commuting to and from work and they would be more productive)," the lawmaker said.