MANILA, Philippines — Congressional leaders on Monday welcomed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call for a special session of Congress on June 17 to deliberate priority legislation and act on pending appointments requiring confirmation by the Commission on Appointments.
Marcos issued Proclamation No. 1318 on June 15, convening Congress in a special session to consider several measures identified by the administration as urgent.
The agenda includes proposed legislation creating a National Center for Geriatric Health, establishing a Presidential Merit Scholarship Program, and amending laws on government assistance to students and teachers in private education, aid for individuals in crisis situations, access to tertiary education, support for schools in geographically isolated and conflict-affected areas, and nutrition programs for children.
The proclamation also listed a proposed anti-political dynasty measure among the priority bills.
In addition to legislative matters, the special session will allow the Commission on Appointments to act on pending appointments to the Cabinet, military, and foreign service.
Marcos cited Section 15, Article VI of the 1987 Constitution, which authorizes the President to call Congress into a special session.
According to lawyer Paolo Tamase, a special session continues until Congress acts on the measures included in its agenda.
“The President calls a special session but he does not have the power or prerogative to dissolve it,” Tamase said.
In a statement released by Malacañang, Marcos said urgent national concerns require continued legislative action even while Congress is not in regular session.
“The needs of the Filipino people do not pause when Congress is not in session. The government must continue to respond, and the welfare of every Filipino must remain our highest priority,” the President said.
Marcos also cited the needs of communities affected by the June 8 earthquake in Mindanao and other sectors requiring government assistance.
Faustino Dy III welcomed the special session and said the House was prepared to act on the administration’s legislative priorities.
“The House of Representatives stands ready to heed the President’s call and continue advancing legislation that directly responds to the needs of our people,” Dy said.
Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian also expressed support for the special session and urged senators to participate.
“I invite my colleagues to attend and take part in the proceedings as we act on measures that matter to the Filipino people,” Gatchalian said.
The special session comes amid a continuing leadership dispute in the Senate.
On June 3, senators allied with Gatchalian established a quorum after members of the bloc led by Alan Peter Cayetano were absent for two consecutive days. The session declared the Senate presidency and several key positions vacant, after which Gatchalian assumed leadership in an acting capacity as Senate President Pro Tempore.
Cayetano has continued to assert that he remains Senate president.
Gatchalian’s bloc reportedly has the support of 11 senators, while Cayetano’s group has 10. Senator Joel Villanueva, who has been associated with Cayetano’s bloc, said earlier that he would attend a special session called by the President.
Villanueva cited the need to pass pending legislation and address appointments awaiting confirmation, including those involving officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said the Senate majority stood ready to address urgent matters during the session.
Senator Erwin Tulfo said he hopes the special session will help resolve the Senate leadership dispute. He also disclosed that discussions continue with two senators aligned with Cayetano’s bloc regarding possible support for Gatchalian.
The last special session of Congress occurred in 2020 when former President Rodrigo Duterte convened lawmakers to continue deliberations on the national budget.
During that special session, the House of Representatives resolved a leadership dispute that resulted in the replacement of then Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano by Lord Allan Velasco.