MANILA, Philippines - The government will make a daily assessment of the situation in Maguindanao to determine if it warrants the lifting of martial law, a top Palace official said.

?We will see what the developments are every day,? Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita told reporters after the suspension of the joint session of Congress at about 10 p.m. Thursday.

Congress convened in joint session for the second day to deliberate on Proclamation 1959 that placed Maguindanao province under martial rule following the massacre of at least 57 people on November 23.

Ermita said Malacanang will submit a daily report to Congress on the implementation of the proclamation based on the reports of the military and the police.

?The reason why we are submitting daily accomplishment reports of authorities, of the PNP (Philippine National Police) and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) is for us to have basis and for that matter for the House of Representatives and the Senate in joint session to make up their minds,? he said.

When asked, AFP chief of staff Victor Ibrado Jr. said he would like martial law to be lifted before Christmas Day.

But Ermita said top security officials have yet to sit down with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to discuss the possibility of lifting the proclamation.

Six senators and five congressmen took the floor on Thursday to interpellate the Palace resource persons led by Ermita, Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales, Ibrado and Police chief Jesus Versoza.

The resource persons stuck with their argument that there was rebellion that necessitated martial law.

Senator Rodolfo Biazon scolded Devanadera ?for taking us for a ride? when he was not satisfied with the Justice Secretary?s reply.

In the middle of the session, Speaker Prospero Nograles interrupted the proceedings to ask Ibrado to confirm a text message he received of an ambush in Maguindanao.

Ibrado confirmed that a convoy of military and police vehicles carrying the items seized from the home of Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., one of the suspects in the massacre of 57 people last month, was ambushed by unidentified assailants in Ampatuan, Maguindanao on its way to General Santos City.

Ibrado said the 6x6 military truck and its two police escorts carrying items recovered form the mansion of Ampatuan Sr. was fired at by unidentified men on its way to General Santos City.

He said there were no casualties in the ambush.

Senator Manuel Roxas II asked Ibrado to explain why the evidences against the Ampatuans, suspects in the massacre, were being transferred at night when it could be more dangerous

Nograles and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile asked Ibrado to give Congress a detailed report.