Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Jervis Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178149708097320260409-marcos-holy-see-75th-diplomatic-relations-PCO9.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins leaders of the Catholic Church and members of the diplomatic community at the reception commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Holy See at the Ayuntamiento de Manila in Intramuros on April 8, 2026. <em>Presidential Communications Office</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA <strong>(2nd </strong><strong>UPDATE</strong><strong>)</strong> — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. is calling for a special session in Congress on Wednesday, June 17, to &quot;fast-track social protection measures amid energy challenges and calamities,&quot; Malacañang announced Monday.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/14/-we-will-be-there-villanueva-to-attend-potential-special-session-1226">‘We will be there’: Villanueva to attend potential special session</a></div><p>Under the Proclamation no. 1318 issued Monday, Marcos called for a special session for urgent action on priority legislation aimed at strengthening social protection.</p><p>The Palace said there are also bills on &quot;expanding access to education and healthcare and providing greater support to vulnerable Filipinos.&quot;</p><p>The call comes amidst a power struggle at the Senate, with two senators claiming leadership of the upper chamber.</p><p>&quot;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,&quot; the President said in a statement.</p><p>&quot;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,&quot; he added.</p><p>Among the bills targeted for consideration include the establishment of the 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, and the Amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA).</p><p>Also included in the priority legislation for consideration include the Last Mile and Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged and Conflict-Affected Areas (GIDA) Schools Act, Amendments to the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act, and the Anti-Political Dynasty Law, Presidential Merit Scholarship Program.</p><p>The special session will also enable the Commission on Appointments to act on pending appointments to key positions in the Cabinet, military, and foreign service. This will help ensure continuity and stability across government institutions.</p><p>Section 15, Article VI of the 1987 Constitution gives the President authority to call Congress into special session at any time to address urgent matters requiring immediate legislative action.</p><p>The administration expressed confidence &quot;that lawmakers will set aside political distractions and focus on passing measures that deliver timely and meaningful support to the Filipino people.&quot;</p><p>The special session will coincide with Marcos&#x27; trip to Kazan, Russia for the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>‘NO DRAMA, NO DELAY’ </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Sen. Migz Zubiri said the 12 senators of the bloc where he belongs welcome Marcos’ call for a special session and “are ready to do our mandate.” </p><p>“Papasok tayo, magtatrabaho tayo and we will do our duty for the people. The Senate has always had the capacity to rise above difficult moments, and I trust that we can approach this session with seriousness, respect for our mandate and a clear sense of responsibility to the people,” Zubiri said in a statement. </p><p>“Walang drama, walang delay, walang dahilan para hindi magtrabaho. We should be ready to work and ready to help move forward whatever must be acted upon for the public good,” he added.</p><p>His group, led by Senate President Pro Tempore Win Gatchalian, is locked in a power struggle with the bloc of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who insists that he is still the Senate President until his replacement could be elected with 13 votes.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/9/gatchalian-bloc-may-reach-13-members-soon-bam-aquino-1113">Gatchalian bloc may reach 13 members &#x27;soon&#x27;—Bam Aquino</a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/10/house-open-to-special-session-but-senate-must-muster-majority-garin-1658">House open to special session but Senate must muster majority — Garin </a></div><p>Senator Erwin Tulfo hopes there will be 13 senators present during the special session so that they can finally put the Senate leadership squabble to rest.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y_ELgu_SLPg?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><strong></strong><em><strong></strong></em><br/></div>

<p>President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. is calling for a special session in Congress on Wednesday, June 17, to "fast-track social protection measures amid energy challenges and calamities," Malacañang announced Monday.</p>

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. is calling for a special session in Congress on Wednesday, June 17, to "fast-track social protection measures amid energy challenges and calamities," Malacañang announced Monday.

Marcos calls for Congress special session on June 17

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Marcos calls for Congress special session on June 17

Jervis Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 15, 2026 12:15 PM PHT

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Updated June 15, 2026 02:46 PM PHT

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Congress

special session

Ferdinand Marcos Jr

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