Palace mulls special session

Malacañang hinted yesterday President Arroyo may call Congress to a special session to pass Malacañang-certified bills still pending at the bicameral committee level.

While no such initiative to convene a special session has yet been taken, Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) Secretary Gabriel Claudio told The STAR this does not mean Malacañang would not ask for it.

When both chambers of Congress adjourned sine die last June 5, two priority bills were already approved and were up for bicameral consolidation.

The two bills are the judiciary compensation bill proposing that the salaries of justices and judges be exempt from the Salary Standardization Law and the dual citizenship bill.

Since both chambers are in recess, Claudio said lawmakers could not officially act on the two priority measures.

"In consultation with Congress leaders, it (special session) remains a possibility if they think it’s appropriate to complete the passage into law of these priority measures," Claudio said.

"Or they (lawmakers) can just wait until July 28 for the opening sessions," he added.

The 12th Congress is set to reopen on the third Monday of July for its third and final regular session.

Aside from the two bills, Claudio pointed out that two other Malacañang-certified bills — the proposed excise tax on automobiles and the anti-terror bill — may be included in the agenda should a special session be called.

The excise tax bill was approved on second reading by the Senate before it adjourned last week and was approved on its third and final reading by the House of Representatives.

On the other hand, the anti-terror bill is now under plenary interpellation and amendment in both the House and the Senate.

Meanwhile, Claudio said President Arroyo is set to sign into law on June 23 the Anti-Smoking Act of 2003 which Congress also passed last week. – Marichu Villanueva