Villanueva open to special session

MINORITY Senator Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva on Sunday expressed his openness to attending the special session should President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. call for one.

“In any event that there is a special session, we will fulfill our responsibility based on the Constitution. We will be there,” Mr. Villanueva said in a video statement shown at a Jesus Is Lord Church gathering. “This is not the time to take sides.”

Mr. Villanueva is the first senator from the Cayetano-led bloc to publicly declare attendance at the possible special session.

He said he will file a resolution ensuring the funds of those affected by the magnitude 7.8 quake in Mindanao, push for the bills on third and final reading, and ensure the appointment confirmation of officials from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The majority bloc led by Acting Senate President Sherwin T. Gatchalian stands at 12 senators.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, Mr. Gatchalian said that they are coordinating with the Executive for the conduct of a special session to tackle pending bills and a potential supplemental budget for Mindanao rehabilitation.

The Palace on June 4 said Mr. Marcos is open to calling for a special session should the chamber request it. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel