NEWS

PCO's Castro: PBBM calling for special section to impeach VP Sara 'awkward'

Richbon Quevedo · Feb 25, 2025, 2:30 PM

Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro held a press briefing on 25 February 2025, at the New Executive Building in Malacañang Palace, Manila, addressing key national concerns. She clarified that the government is not erasing the EDSA People Power commemoration despite declaring 25 February a special working day, emphasizing that institutions remain free to observe it. On foreign relations, Malacañang welcomed the exemption of Philippine security funding from the U.S. aid freeze, highlighting its importance for national defense and AFP modernization. The Palace also assured the public that while Cabinet evaluations are ongoing, no immediate changes have been decided, and discussions on misinformation regulation are being considered with a focus on clear legal definitions. Lastly, officials acknowledged transportation infrastructure delays but reaffirmed the government's commitment to improvements, while leadership transitions within the PCO under Secretary J. Ruiz remain under review. TEXT AND PHOTOS BY YUMMIE DINGDING — Yummie Dingding

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. would be putting himself in an “awkward position” if he calls for a special session of the Senate, especially with critics accusing him of masterminding the impeachment proceedings.

“The way we see it, it would be an awkward position on the part of the President to voluntarily call for [a] special session considering that there is this ongoing intrigues that the President is behind the impeachment proceedings,” said Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro at a Tuesday press conference.

“It is better for the senate to request the President considering that even the President made this pronouncement that if the Senate will ask him to call for a special session, he will do so,” she added.

Both chambers of Congress — the House of Representatives and the Senate — are currently on break and are scheduled to resume sessions in June.

The Senate received the articles of impeachment on its last session day on 5 February.

No time element

Even with the term “forthwith” being used to urge Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero to call for a special session, Castro said the term still needs to be defined, as it has various interpretations, particularly since Congress is on break.

“If you will look and read the provisions of the constitution, you will see “to proceed with”, right? But no time element can be seen. Is it to proceed with even during recess? Because [the Senate] can proceed definitely if there is session, there's no question about that. But, to proceed during recess, that's a gray area in the constitution,” Castro explained.

She noted that the Senate would not have any issues if it were in session.

As of writing, there has been no request from the Senate urging the President to call for a special session.

Meanwhile, Castro clarified that the President is not limited to calling a session solely for legislative matters but can also do so for other concerns.

“The President may call a special session anytime. So, with that, it's not just limited to if there is urgency regarding the bill or legislation. But we believe it also includes the impeachment trial,” she said.