Marcos calls for special session of Congress to fast-track priority measures
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has called on Congress to convene a special session on Wednesday, June 17, to expedite the passage of priority measures on health, education, nutrition, and the Anti-Political Dynasty Law, among others.
On Monday, June 15, under Proclamation No. 1318, Marcos, citing his authority under Section 15, Article VI of the Constitution, called the "Congress of the Philippines to a special session on 17 June 2026 to urgently consider the passage of priority legislative measures."
Such include the National Center for Geriatric Health; Amendments to the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education; 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 Msustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act; Anti-Political Dynasty Law; and Presidential Merit Scholarship Program.
Marcos added, "and such other measures aimed towards strengthening social protection and uplifting the lives of the Filipino people."
The President also asked the special session to "allow the Commission on Appointments to convene," which would let the agency to act on appointments for the Cabinet, military, and foreign service.
On June 3, Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian declared the first session of the 20th Congress adjourned sine die following a chaotic series of leadership disputes.
Senate employees have been on a work-from-home arrangement since June 10 after the National Bureau of Investigation flagged a security threat.
By Monday, June 15, however, Gatchalian's Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. confirmed that Senate employees were set to return to work on-site, while visitors, even those of senators, would be limited.
