Marcos calls for special session of Congress to tackle urgent bills

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called Congress to convene a special session on June 17 to tackle the administration’s priority legislation and pending appointments of officers from the military and foreign service, as well as Cabinet officials  

Through Proclamation No. 1318 issued on Monday, June 15, Marcos called on Congress to “urgently consider” the passage of the following bills: 

• National Center for Geriatric Health
• Amendments to the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) Act
• Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) Act
• Amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA)
• Last Mile and Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged and Conflict-Affected Areas (GIDA) Schools Act
• Amendments to the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act
• Anti-Political Dynasty Law
• Presidential Merit Scholarship Program
• Such other measures aimed towards strengthening social protection and uplifting the lives of the Filipino people 

Under the Constitution, the President may call for special session at any time. 

“The challenges confronting our people demand urgent action. Families affected by the recent earthquake in Mindanao require immediate assistance. Students need continued support to pursue their education. Our senior citizens deserve better healthcare. Our children must have better nutrition and vulnerable sectors need stronger protection,” Marcos was quoted as saying in a Palace press statement.

The special session would also “enable the Commission on Appointments to act on pending appointments to key positions in the Cabinet, military, and foreign service.”

“This will help ensure continuity and stability across government institutions,” Marcos in the proclamation. 

Several military generals — including those who hold key commands — are awaiting their confirmation to make their promotions official. A long list of diplomats, as well as the head of the Philippine Space Agency, were also waiting for confirmation before Congress began a two-month-long break in early June. Regular session for the 20th Congress resumes yet on July 27.

Marcos had earlier signalled willingness to call for special session should Congress, a co-equal branch of government, request it.

Marcos himself expressed disappointment over political and literal chaos in the upper chamber following the election of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate president on May 11. Under Cayetano, the Senate experienced a shooting incident, Senator Ronald dela Rosa evaded an International Criminal Court warrant twice while in the upper chamber’s premises and supposedly under its protective custody, and a walkout from the then-minority over an attempt to change Senate rules.

Leadership in the upper chamber has since shifted, with Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian elected as Senate president pro tempore and thus, acting Senate President. Malacañang and Marcos have repeatedly acknowledged Gatchalian as the Senate’s new leader despite Cayetano’s insistence otherwise. – Rappler.com