Senate Majority Francis Tolentino (left), House Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe (Facebook)

If House Speaker Martin Romualdez is excited to work with his newly-installed Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero, then so too is the House majority leader with his own Senate counterpart. 

House Majority Leader Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Mannix Dalipe joined the many well-wishers of Escudero on Monday night, May 20, a few hours after the former Sorsogon governor ascended to top post in the Senate. 

"I am pleased to welcome Senator Chiz Escudero as the newly elected President of the Senate. This marks a significant moment in our legislative process, promising to enhance the cooperative dynamics between the House of Representatives and the Senate," Dalipe said. 

"I also look forward to productive collaboration with the Senate, especially following the election of Senator Francis Tolentino as Majority Leader, my Senate counterpart," he added. 

"I am excited to work with Senator Tolentino to push for important measures that can help uplift the lives of our people," said Dalipe. 

Escudero succeeded erstwhile Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, while Tolentino replaced former Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva. 

It was only last February when Dalipe and Villanueva had a bit of a back-and-forth on the topic of the proposed economic Charter change (Cha-cha). 

Villanueva, a former House member himself, had been quoted as saying, "Who is he?" in apparent reference to his House counterpart Dalipe, as if to suggest that the Mindanaoan wasn't well-known. 

HAVE YOU READ THIS 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/7/ranking-solons-respond-to-villanueva-s-who-is-he-jab-vs-house-counterpart-dalipe

Just before this, Dalipe had challenged the 24 senators to publicly make their stand known on economic Cha-cha. 

The 300-plus strong House under Romualdez has already passed its version of the measure on third and final reading.

The proposal to revise the 1987 Constitution continues to move at a snail's pace in the Senate, but this is all expected to change now that Escudero is at the helm. 

Also, the rapport between Dalipe and Tolentino is expected to be better. 

"I am optimistic that under Senator Escudero's guidance, Congress will take positive strides toward achieving the economic constitutional reforms advocated by the President. His extensive experience and proven commitment are invaluable as we endeavor to enact legislation that will benefit our country and its people," Dalipe said.