EXPLAINER: What is a special session of Congress?

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday urged Congress to convene a special session on June 17, 2026 to act on priority legislative measures and appointments.

This was contained in Proclamation No. 1318, which cited the need to consider urgent action and passage of nine bills.

These include the: Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) Act, Anti-Political Dynasty Law, Presidential Merit Scholarship Program, Last Mile Schools Act, National Center for Geriatric Health, and other bills related to education, nutrition, and social protection.

What is a special session of Congress?

Under Section 15, Article VI of the 1987 Constitution, Congress should convene for its regular session once a year, on the fourth Monday of July – except if there are other dates set by law.

The regular session will continue within a defined number of days to be agreed upon by both chambers of Congress. But it must adjourn session for 30 days before starting the next regular session.

The President may call for a special session at any time that Congress is not in session.

This is usually done to discuss important proposed bills that need immediate action from lawmakers.

READ: EXPLAINER: Why is a special session of Congress needed?

Based on data gathered by GMA News Research, Congress has called for a special session more than 20 times since 1986.

During the past administration, former President Rodrigo Duterte called for a special session twice.

The first was in March 2020 to approve a measure seeking to grant special powers to the President in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The second was in October 2020 in order to continue the deliberation the then proposed 2021 national budget.

Even before the President’s proclamation, Senator Joel Villanueva said he is ready to attend a special session of Congress should Marcos call for one.

“Sa pagkakataon na magkaroon ng special session, tutuparin natin ang ating sagradong tungkulin sa ilalim ng ating Saligang Batas. We will be there,” Villanueva said on June 14.

(In case there is a special session, we will fulfill our sacred duty as mandated by our Constitution. We will be there.)

Senator Panfilo Lacson is hopefull that the issue over the Senate leadership will be resolved through a special session.

READ: Alan Peter Cayetano warns of constitutional crisis: Do not padlock Senate

“Kailangan ma-resolve talaga ‘yung officially, formally ‘yung leadership kung sino ang Senate President, and I hope ma-resolve ‘yan in case magtawag ng special session,” Lacson said.

(This should be resolved officially, formally, the question of leadership, of who is the Senate President. And I hope it will be resolved in case there is a special session.) — JMA, GMA News