President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines — Leaders of Congress welcomed President Marcos’ proclamation on Monday, calling the legislature to a special session this week to tackle urgent measures and pending appointments, which he cited in his pronouncement.
Earlier on Sunday, Sen. Joel Villanueva said he would attend a special session of Congress should Marcos convene one. The attendance of one more senator is seen as crucial to resolving the dispute in the Senate, which Malacañang had asked the upper chamber to settle before the President calls such a session.
Marcos issued Proclamation No. 1318 on June 15, “calling the Congress of the Philippines to a special session” on June 17 to tackle such “priority legislative measures” as the proposed National Center for Geriatric Health and Presidential Merit Scholarship Program, as well as amendments to the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act, the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations Act, the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, the Last Mile and Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged and Conflict-Affected Areas Schools Act, and the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act.
