Monday, February 12, 2007 Palace justifies call for special session
MALACAÑANG on Sunday called for statesmanship over brinkmanship during the conduct of a two-day special session from February 19 to 20.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the special sessions are necessary to ensure the passage of vital measures that are already in the final stages of legislation.
Bunye, who is also the Presidential spokesman, said several important bills are now "on the verge of being wasted if a special session is not held".
"Let us not politicize the calling of the special session. Collective and willful action in ratifying these bills will lend impetus to our fight against terror and poverty, protecting the environment, and serving the people," he said.
"The Filipino people are fed up with incessant gridlock as they yearn to see all institutions of the government row the boat in one direction. We wish that statesmanship, rather then brinkmanship, will prevail," he added.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said the special sessions being called by Malacañang to ensure the passage of a P10-billion tree planting program aimed at addressing global warming but whose funds would supposedly be diverted for the campaign of the administration candidates.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Proclamation Order No. 1235, which declared February 19 to 20 as the "two-day special session to pursue final approval of the anti-terror bill and other urgent measures already in advanced stages of legislation."
Among the bills to be taken up are the anti-terrorism bill, the credit information bureau, the compensation for human rights violation victims, and the amendment Presidential Decree (PD) 1869, which created the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) Charter, to effect the extension of its franchise.
Incoming Presidential chief of staff and Albay Representative Joey Salceda said others bills that were ratified in the bicameral conference committee are the bills strengthening the Public Attorneys' Office (PAO) and the Office of the Solicitor General. (OSG). (JMR/Sunnex)
