One-day session enough if Senate can end impasse, says solon

MANILA, Philippines — A single day for the special session will be enough to address measures that have not been passed by Congress as long as the Senate is able to resolve their leadership issues, House Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V said on Tuesday.

Ortega, in a statement, said that several of the bills pending approval only await final voting — which the Senate failed to do as the former majority bloc under Senator Alan Peter Cayetano did not show up to the session on June 1 and 2.

“Like what I said during the past interviews, I hope the issue gets addressed because the reason why we will be holding a special session is because there are many bills left pending, as it did not move forward,” the lawmaker said.

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“That’s why it would be better, our elder brothers and elder sisters in the Senate should talk and reconcile not only for our measures left unaddressed, but also appointments that have not been confirmed,” he added.

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While there are several bills mentioned in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call for a special session, Ortega is confident that the bills can be passed as long as the Senate can solve its leadership impasse.

“There are several bills. But we can approve them,” he noted.

On Monday, Marcos called on Congress to hold a special session on Wednesday to fast-track social protection measures amid the energy crisis and calamities.

Among the bills targeted for consideration are the following:

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National Center for Geriatric Health

Amendments to the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act

Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) Act

Amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act

Last Mile and Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged and Conflict-Affected Areas Schools Act

Amendments to the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act

Anti-Political Dynasty Law

Presidential Merit Scholarship Program

Other measures aimed towards strengthening social protection and uplifting the lives of the Filipino people

Moreover, Marcos said the special session will also allow the Commission on Appointments to act on pending appointments to key positions in the cabinet, military and foreign service to ensure continuity across government institutions.

READ: Marcos calls for Congress special session

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Ortega explained that the long process in approving bills is when these are up for second reading, since it will first go through sponsorship, debate and amendment, and will require three days before a measure approved is considered for third reading.

But when bills are being considered for third reading, it will be a simple nominal voting.

“If we are there for the whole day, and we will just approve bills on third reading, usually it’s easier,” Ortega said.

“The only thing that lengthens the process is the second reading, because there’s a period of amendment and debates. But if it’s just voting, we can do that,” he added.

Congress adjourned sine die last June 3, but several measures were not addressed by the Senate.

In recent weeks, the Senate has been hit by division between two groups — that of acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian and former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, which stalled legislative work in Congress’ upper chamber.

The split between Gatchalian and Cayetano’s camps started after members of the then-minority bloc under Gatchalian and former Senate President Vicente Sotto III walked out of the session due to the insistence of the former majority to discuss a proposed amendment on Senate rules.

Senator Rodante Marcoleta proposed allowing online voting for senators who are not physically present during plenary deliberations.

The minority, before walking out, questioned the rush to amend the rules, and as to why the amendment was contained in a motion instead of a formal resolution.

As a retaliation, the Cayetano bloc did not attend session last June 1 and 2.

On June 3, House lawmakers like Deputy Speaker Albee Benitez said that the Senate was on the verge of violating the 1987 Constitution, as there is a provision stating that the Senate cannot adjourn its session for more than three days without informing the House.

READ: Senate would have violated charter if no session held for third day — solons

This scenario was avoided after Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who is part of Cayetano’s bloc, showed up, giving the Senate a quorum to hold session.

Positions were also declared vacant, paving the way for Gatchalian’s election as Senate President Pro Tempore and Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri being picked as the majority leader.

Gatchalian justified that 12 senators is already a majority under the condition that only 22 out of 24 senators are available — since Senator Jinggoy Estrada was detained on plunder raps while Senator Ronald dela Rosa is considered a fugitive.

Earlier, House Assistant Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said that the House is ready to hold the special session called by Marcos.

Adiong told reporters in an online interview that the special session will start at nine o’clock in the morning of Wednesday.

READ: House ready to hold special session, Adiong says

The lawmaker however clarified that no other topics will be discussed apart from the president’s reasons for calling a special session — which are key legislation up for third reading approval. /apl

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