Marcos Jr calls special Congressional session amid Senate leadership crisis
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called a special session of Congress on June 17, marking the first time he has exercised this constitutional power since taking office.
The session was called to address priority legislation that stalled after the Senate failed to convene before its recess, amid an ongoing leadership dispute that has left the chamber effectively paralyzed.
The House of Representatives, where Marcos maintains a supermajority of allies, is expected to comply with the directive. However, uncertainty remains over how the Senate will proceed due to its internal division.
The upper chamber is currently split between competing leadership claims following a contested change in Senate control earlier this year, which has prevented consistent sessions and delayed legislative work. One bloc continues to recognize Senator Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate President, while another supports Senator Sherwin Gatchalian in an acting leadership role.
The dispute has been further complicated by shifting alliances among senators and the absence or incarceration of key members, raising questions over quorum and formal control of the chamber, according to Khaleej Times.
The leadership impasse is also expected to affect upcoming legislative priorities, including the scheduled impeachment proceedings involving Vice President Sara Duterte, set for preliminary steps in early July.
Senate leadership will determine whether the trial proceeds on schedule or faces further delay.
Marcos’ move to convene Congress is seen as an effort to restore legislative function, but the outcome now depends largely on whether the Senate can resolve its internal leadership crisis.
