House of Representatives holds special session; Senate runs late

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives convened on Wednesday for a special session called by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., starting at exactly 9:00 a.m. while the Senate failed to start the session on time.

House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III presided over the session, while Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos managed the floor.

Senators, meanwhile, held a brief meeting at the Senate lounge.

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The special session was a directive from Marcos, asking Congress to convene so that they can fast-track social protection measures amid energy challenges and calamities.

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Among the bills targeted for consideration are:

National Center for Geriatric Health

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

Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations 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

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

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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. /gsg

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