Malacañang is set to send the Senate and House of Representatives formal letters of request seeking a joint session.
This is for Saturday, July 22, 2017 at 9 am at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.
The session is meant to deliberate and vote on Duterte’s plea for an extension of martial law in Mindanao for another 60 days.
The current martial law declared by Duterte last May 23 will expire on Saturday.
Duterte had instructed Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to send the letters to the two chambers.
Senator Vicente Sotto III says, on Monday night, Duterte had given senators a briefing on the situation in Mindanao.
Sotto describes the scenario presented by the President as ‘scary.’
The senator recalls, the intelligence reports shared by Duterte indicate that local terrorist groups are moving around Zamboanga and Jolo, Sulu.
Sotto expects the request of the President to be granted another 60-days of martial law in Mindanao will be smooth sailing and readily approved.
He says, the points raised by Duterte last were convincing.
There may be some arguments during the joint special session but Sotto does not suspect discussions on the floor to drag on.
Senator JV Ejercito says, senators will be given a security briefing on Wednesday.
This will be attended by local government, military and police officials.
Ifugao Representative Teddy Baguilat is asking for the same briefing for House members before lawmakers vote on martial law extension.
Baguilat believes martial law should cover only Marawi City or Lanao del Sur.
