Congress to hold joint session on martial law extension in Mindanao

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III. (File photo from Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Congress plans to hold a joint session on Wednesday to tackle the the proposed one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said on Monday.

According to Pimentel, martial law administrators will brief lawmakers at 10 a.m. on Tuesday about President Rodrigo Duterte’s request to extend martial law in the region for another year.

He said another hearing would be conducted by the concerned agencies starting at noon on Tuesday on the economic impact and human rights issue of the martial law declaration.

“Wednesday morning, joint session. Yan ang plano. Morning ang start, di ko masabi ang end,” Pimentel told reporters.

“Ang pakiusap ko sa mga senador, even after the joint session, balik kami rito for our legislative session no matter the time,” he said.

Pimentel said there might no longer need for a special session if the joint session would push through on Wednesday.

Aside from the martial law extension, he said the Senate was planning to ratify the proposed tax reform measure and the P3.7-trillion 2018 national budget before Congress goes on a holiday break on Wednesday. /atm