Pinatawag ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang Kongreso sa special session sa June 17, Miyerkules, para aksyunan ang priority bills sa social protection, edukasyon, healthcare, nutrition, at ayuda para sa mga Pilipinong apektado ng mga krisis, kabilang ang magnitude 7.8 earthquake sa Mindanao.
Nilagdaan ni Marcos nitong Lunes ang Proclamation No. 1318, na nag-uutos sa mga mambabatas na talakayin ang mga panukalang nasa advanced stages na ng legislative process pero hindi pa natatapos.
“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,” sabi ni Marcos.
“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,” dagdag niya.
Kasama sa listahan ang proposed National Center for Geriatric Health Act, 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 Areas Schools Act, amendments to the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act, Anti-Political Dynasty Law, at Presidential Merit Scholarship Program.
Pwede rin umanong talakayin ang iba pang panukalang “aimed towards strengthening social protection and uplifting the lives of the Filipino people.”
Kasama rin sa special session ang pagpapakilos sa Commission on Appointments para aksyunan ang mga pending nominations at appointments sa Cabinet, military, at foreign service.
Pinapayagan ng Section 15, Article VI ng 1987 Constitution ang Pangulo na tawagin ang Kongreso sa special session anumang oras para sa urgent legislative concerns.
Sa House of Representatives, sinabi ni Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III na handa ang Kamara na tapusin ang trabaho.
“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,” sabi ni Dy.
Ayon kay Dy, lahat ng measures na tinukoy sa Proclamation No. 1318 ay naaprubahan na ng House.
Bago mag-adjourn sine die noong June 3, naaksiyunan na ng House ang 26 sa 52 measures sa Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) Common Legislative Agenda. Isa ang naisabatas na, isa ang nakatapos ng bicameral conference committee action, tatlo ang nasa bicameral conference committee deliberations, at 21 ang pasado na sa third and final reading.
Naipasa na rin ng House ang iba pang LEDAC priority measures tulad ng proposed National Land Use Act, Right to Information Act, amendments to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, Department of Water Resources Act, restructuring of the Energy Regulatory Commission, Waste-to-Energy Act, Digital Payments Act, at proposed Anti-Fake News and Disinformation Act.
“The House has already laid much of the groundwork for these priority reforms. We stand ready to work with the Senate and the Executive Branch to complete the legislative process and deliver meaningful benefits to the Filipino people,” sabi ni Dy.
Sa Senado, sinabi ni Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri na wine-welcome ng majority bloc ang special session at handa silang kumilos sa healthcare, education funding, assistance to Filipinos in crisis, at appointments sa Commission on Appointments.
“We in the majority welcome the call for a special session on June 17, and we are ready to do our mandate, work hard and help the Senate act on urgent matters before us,” sabi ni Zubiri, na nagsabing magbubukas ang session alas-9 ng umaga.
“Papasok tayo, magtatrabaho tayo and we will do our duty for the people. Walang drama, walang delay, walang dahilan para hindi magtrabaho (We will report, we will work, and we will do our duty for the people. No drama, no delay, no reason not to work),” dagdag niya.
Sa House press conference nitong Lunes, hinimok naman ni Justice Committee Chairperson, House Impeachment Lead Prosecutor at Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro ang Senado na gamitin ang special session para tapusin ang priority bills at ayusin ang leadership issue bago umusad pa ang impeachment trial ni Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Well, we understand that the purpose of the Palace is to give opportunity to the Senate to finish the priority measures,” sabi ni Luistro.
Sa Senate leadership issue, sinabi ni Luistro na hindi dinidiktahan ng prosecution team ang Senado, pero umaasa silang gagamitin ng chamber ang special session para linawin ang mga usaping maaaring makaapekto sa institutional clarity.
“Now with regards to the issue on leadership, this is just our opinion that, sana, they take advantage of that special session to address what needs to be addressed, to fix what needs to be fixed na,” sabi niya.
“…Ultimately to have a duly elected Senate president,” dagdag ni Luistro.
Nauna nang sinabi ng House prosecution panel na ang hindi maresolbang mga tanong tungkol sa Senate leadership ay maaaring magbukas ng mga procedural at constitutional issues sa impeachment case. Sinabi rin ng panel na kinikilala nito ang pamumuno ni Acting Senate President Win Gatchalian at haharap ito sa impeachment court batay sa notices ng kasalukuyang leadership. /Bistado