GMA analyst Heydarian’s take on 18th Congress, Duterte’s ‘legacy years’

With super majorities in both houses of Congress, President Rodrigo Duterte needs able leadership from his allies especially in the House of Representatives to get enough support for his legislative agenda as his term enters its "legacy years."

In an interview on "Balitanghali", GMA resident analyst Richard Heydarian said," Tapos na tayo sa first three terms ni Pangulong Duterte. Napatunayan niya kung committed talaga siya sa mga pangako niya o hindi."

"Pero ngayon, pumapasok na tayo sa kanyang legacy years. So ang isyu dito is kung anong iniiwanan noya sa kanyang successor," Heydarian said.

Heydarian pointed out that Duterte's allies dominated the mid-term elections and gave him super majorities both in the Senate and in the House.

"Of course napaka-dominant yung performance ng kanyang mga alyado sa mid-term elections so may super majority si Pangulong Duterte both in the lower house and upper house," Heydarian said.

"Ang tanong can he have the proper leadership dun especially yung speakership of the house para ma-rally yung sporta at makuha yung sapat na boto para mapasa niya yung legislative agenda niya," he added.

The 18th Congress began its session on Monday with staunch ally Taguig Representative Alan Peter Cayetano getting elected Speaker.

Another ally, Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Jay Velasco is poised to take over in 15 months.

In the Senate, there are more of Duterte allies  with the election as senators of candidates whom he endorsed—former aide Bong Go, former PNP chief Ronald Dela Rosa, former political affairs adviser Francis Tolentino, former Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, and former Taguig Representative Pia Cayetano. —Dona Magsino/NB, GMA News