The House of Representatives is ready to support any special session that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. may call, as lawmakers expressed hope that such a move could also help resolve the ongoing leadership dispute in the Senate.
Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, chair of the House Committee on Public Accounts, said Congress would have to convene if the President calls for a special session, although he noted that the move appears to be more urgent for the Senate due to pending legislative matters.
“Wala naman pong pagtutol doon sa pagkakaroon po ng special session na ipapatawag po ng Pangulo. Dahil ang Kongreso naman po ay both House and the Senate, siyempre sa bahagi po namin we will also need to convene,” Ridon said during the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.
Ridon, who is also a House prosecutor, said the chamber is prepared to support the special session if it is deemed necessary.
“But I think this is really more for the Senate because of ‘yung mga delayed measures in the last couple of weeks. So, of course, that is something that the House will support,” Ridon said.
He said he also hopes that a special session would lead to a clear and definitive resolution of the leadership issue in the Senate.
“And hopefully, that is something that will also resolve nga po the leadership matter with definitiveness. Kasi gusto natin talagang malaman na ano na ba talaga yung actual na sitwasyon dito po sa Senado,” he said.
Ridon reiterated that, from the standpoint of Malacañang and the House of Representatives, Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian is recognized as the Senate’s leader.
“As far as the Palace and the House is concerned, we are acknowledging the leadership of Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian,” Ridon said.
The Senate has been facing leadership questions in recent days, while the House prosecution panel continues preparations for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, which is scheduled to begin on July 6.