Only 1 of Marcos’ 8 Priority Bills Reaches Palace for Signing

Only one of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s eight priority bills has been submitted to Malacañang for signature, nearly a month after he called on Congress to convene in a special session, according to the Palace. Presidential press officer Claire Castro expressed confidence on Wednesday that Congress can still pass the remaining priority measures within the year, despite the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte and the upcoming budget deliberations. “Since these are the President’s priority bills, he is hopeful that they can be fast-tracked because these are really for the benefit of our fellow Filipinos. That is why he wants them passed as soon as possible,” Castro said. Out of the eight measures, only the final copy of the proposed Last Mile and Geographically Isolated, Disadvantaged, and Conflict-Affected Areas Schools Act was submitted to Malacañang on June 25. Meanwhile, the amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act have already hurdled the bicameral conference committee deliberations and are in the process of being approved as an enrolled bill to be submitted to Malacañang. The bills for the proposed National Center for Geriatric Health Act; Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) Act; and amendments to the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (Gastpe) Act are all pending bicameral conference committee deliberations. Three other priority legislations were approved by the House of Representatives, but their counterpart bills are still pending before the Senate. Marcos issued Proclamation No. 1318, directing Congress to convene in a special session on June 17 to take up priority legislative agenda that remain pending despite having reached advanced stages of legislation. The special session also enabled the Commission on Appointments to act on pending appointments to key positions in the Cabinet, military, and foreign service to help ensure continuity and stability across government institutions. Malacañang stated that the administration is confident lawmakers “will set aside political distractions” and focus on passing measures that deliver timely and meaningful support to the Filipino people. Section 15, Article VI of the 1987 Constitution grants the President the authority to call Congress into special session at any time to address urgent matters requiring immediate legislative action. The House and Senate adjourned the first regular session of the 20th Congress on June 3. The second regular session of the 20th Congress will convene on July 27, when President Marcos delivers his State of the Nation Address. The executive branch, led by the Department of Budget and Management, is set to submit the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP) to Congress by August, commencing budget deliberations until December. The Marcos administration is targeting a P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027, equivalent to 21.7 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). This proposed budget is 6 percent, or P407 billion, more than the P6.793-trillion 2026 national budget.