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Senate may hold special sessions to accommodate queries on MIF bill, says Villanueva
Philippines
National
Senate may hold special sessions to accommodate queries on MIF bill, says Villanueva
Senate may hold special sessions to accommodate queries on MIF bill, says Villanueva
Published May 28, 2023 10:40 am
The Senate may hold special sessions to accommodate senators’ questions and concerns regarding the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) bill this week, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said on Sunday, May 28.
Earlier, Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said the Senate is keen on approving the proposed MIF Act on third and final reading before the sine die adjournment of the First Regular Session of the 19th Congress on Friday, June 2.
This comes after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. on May 22, certified the bill as urgent, allowing the legislature to bypass the three-day rule or the constitutional requirement for bills to be approved on third and final reading three days after it is approved on second reading.
In certifying the bill as urgent, the President cited there “is a compelling need for a sustainable national investment fund as a new growth catalyst to accelerate the implementation of strategic and high-impact large infrastructure projects that will stimulate economic activity and development.”
Villanueva said senators will discuss the matter in an executive meeting before the plenary session on Monday, May 29.
“That is one of the things we wish to discuss. There's a possibility of extending our session until Thursday (June 1),” Villanueva told reporters in an interview in Bocaue, Bulacan.
“Because there’s a timeline (for the MIF). And if you recall we have enough time na binigay na rin for Maharlika. Around three months na rin,” he pointed out.
Villanueva said holding a special session will help the Senate pass the important measures of the Marcos administration and the ones deemed by the Senate as significant.
“At the end of the day, the Senado, and based on history, we will do our part. We will continue to scrutinize. Nothing has changed, gagawin talaga natin para sa best interest ng ating mga kababayan (We will really do what is the best interest for our people),” he stressed.
Earlier, Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said the Senate is keen on approving the proposed MIF Act on third and final reading before the sine die adjournment of the First Regular Session of the 19th Congress on Friday, June 2.
This comes after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. on May 22, certified the bill as urgent, allowing the legislature to bypass the three-day rule or the constitutional requirement for bills to be approved on third and final reading three days after it is approved on second reading.
In certifying the bill as urgent, the President cited there “is a compelling need for a sustainable national investment fund as a new growth catalyst to accelerate the implementation of strategic and high-impact large infrastructure projects that will stimulate economic activity and development.”
Villanueva said senators will discuss the matter in an executive meeting before the plenary session on Monday, May 29.
“That is one of the things we wish to discuss. There's a possibility of extending our session until Thursday (June 1),” Villanueva told reporters in an interview in Bocaue, Bulacan.
“Because there’s a timeline (for the MIF). And if you recall we have enough time na binigay na rin for Maharlika. Around three months na rin,” he pointed out.
Villanueva said holding a special session will help the Senate pass the important measures of the Marcos administration and the ones deemed by the Senate as significant.
“At the end of the day, the Senado, and based on history, we will do our part. We will continue to scrutinize. Nothing has changed, gagawin talaga natin para sa best interest ng ating mga kababayan (We will really do what is the best interest for our people),” he stressed.