Sen. Joel Villanueva announced on Sunday that he will attend a special session of Congress if President Marcos convenes one, potentially providing the 13th vote needed to elect Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate President.
Sen. Joel Villanueva stated in a recorded message aired during a Sunday service of the Jesus Is Lord Church that he would fulfill his constitutional duty. “In the event a special session is called, we will fulfill our sacred duty under our Constitution. We will be there,” he said.
Villanueva did not specify how he would vote but stressed the need to focus on public service amid the Senate leadership dispute that began with the June 3 shake-up. He highlighted the impact on staff and called for attention to the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao on June 8. If a session occurs, he plans to file a resolution for relief funding and address pending bills and military appointments.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson welcomed the statement and said the majority bloc, which holds 12 votes, is preparing for possible disruptions by allies of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano. “I just hope his colleagues in the Cayetano bloc have the same attitude,” Lacson said.
