ACTING Senate President and Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday called on all senators to attend the special session scheduled for June 17, emphasizing the need to pass pending measures and confirm the appointments of five military generals whose confirmations have been delayed.
Gatchalian said the one-day special session, convened by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., presents a crucial opportunity for the Senate to complete unfinished legislative work before adjournment.
“For me, it is important that we approve all of these bills and not waste this special session because this is our opportunity to finish everything that has been pending, which is why our senators need to attend,” Gatchalian said in an interview on Tuesday.
The acting Senate chief urged lawmakers from both the majority and minority blocs to set aside political differences and participate in the proceedings, emphasizing the significance of the measures on the agenda.
“I issued a statement encouraging all senators to attend, regardless of whether they are part of the majority or minority. These are very important matters, especially concerning the Commission on Appointments, as we have already surpassed the time allotted for these agenda items,” he said.
Among the key items for consideration is the confirmation of five senior military officers whose appointments remain pending before the CA. Gatchalian warned that further delays could affect the officials’ ability to fully carry out their responsibilities and could have implications for military leadership and operations.
He expressed optimism that the special session would proceed smoothly, citing coordination between Senate and House leaders to ensure sufficient attendance and quorum for both the legislative session and the CA meeting.
“Even in the CA, we have members from the House; I spoke with the speaker over the last few days, and they are committed to coming, so they will arrive at the CA in full force,” Gatchalian said.
Under the schedule outlined by Gatchalian, the Senate will convene at 9 a.m. before suspending the session at 11 a.m. to allow the Commission on Appointments to meet. The Senate is expected to resume deliberations in the afternoon and conclude its business before final adjournment between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
