Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 18) — Officials of the Senate and the House of Representatives will meet on Thursday to discuss rules to govern the joint session before convening to talk about the proposed extension of martial law in Mindanao this weekend.
“We’re scheduling a tentative meeting this Thursday so that we can work things [out],” House Secretary-General Cesar Pareja told CNN Philippines on Tuesday.
He said the House has yet to receive a formal request or call from the President, but lawmakers are anticipating it.
Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella announced in a Malacañang press briefing on Tuesday that President Rodrigo Duterte has asked Congress to extend the duration of martial law in Mindanao for five more months, or until December 31, 2017.
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The government cannot quell the rebellion sooner, Duterte said in his letter to Congress read aloud by Abella.
Lawmakers earlier confirmed Duterte called for a special joint session on Saturday, the day that martial law lapses in line with the 60-day limit under the Constitution. House Majority Leader Rudy Fariñas said the special session will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
Pareja said the program and other rules, including determining the quorum, will be discussed ahead of the session.
“It could either be that we have the national anthem, or invocation or prayer, the determination of the quorum which could be by roll call for both houses,” Pareja added.
He said most of the 294 members of the House of Representatives are already back in Manila from their home districts, ahead of the opening of the second regular session and Duterte’s second State of the Nation Address on July 24. They will deliberate the proposed martial law extension with 22 senators.
Section 18, Article VII of the Constitution states, “Upon the initiative of the President, the Congress may, [voting jointly], extend such proclamation or suspension for a period to be determined by the Congress, if the invasion or rebellion shall persist and public safety requires it.”
The Senate and the House of Representatives, voting separately last May 30 and 31, supported the declaration of martial law in Mindanao. Both dismissed calls for a joint congressional session. The Supreme Court on July 4, upheld the validity of Proclamation 216.
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Some lawmakers like Senate Majority Leader Tito Sotto, are expecting majority of their colleagues to also favor the extension of martial law.
Duterte declared martial law throughout Mindanao on May 23 following clashes between government forces and extremists in Marawi City, the provincial capital of Lanao del Sur.
On Wednesday, the military will brief the Senate on the latest in Mindanao. A similar briefing for the House of Representatives still has to be set.
