Outgoing Congressman Rex Gatchalian assured his constituents on Tuesday night, Jan. 31 that it will be "business as usual" in the 1st district of Valenzuela City.
This, despite the change in his job description from lawmaker to Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) secretary.
"Valenzuelanos, the services of our Congress and district office will not change. Please don't worry," Gatchalian wrote in a Facebook post.
"Tuloy-tuloy po ang serbisyo (Service will be continuous) Business as usual," he added.
"A caretaker will be appointed by the House of Representatives in the coming days," added Gatchalian, who bared in the same post that he already took his oath as DSWD chief,
"Mr. President, thank you for giving me the opportunity to be able to serve the country in a much larger capacity," he said referring to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
Gatchailan is the second elected congressman in the 19th Congress who had to leave his seat after being appointed by Malacañang.
The first was then-Cavite 7th district Rep. Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla, who was tapped as Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary shortly after the May 2022 polls.