LIVE UPDATES: Congress convenes special session (June 17, 2026)

Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III was elected as the new Senate President Pro Tempore during Wednesday’s special session.

Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson nominated Sotto for the position, which was concurred by all other senators present in the plenary.

Sotto thereafter took his oath of office as the Senate President Pro Tempore, administered by newly elected Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian. Sotto previously served as Senate President, but was ousted by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.

On June 3, Gatchalian was elected Senate President Pro Tempore and was named by his bloc as acting Senate President.

Earlier, Cayetano conceded that no longer had the numbers to remain as Senate President after Senator Joel Villanueva switched sides.

The Senate convened a special session in accordance with the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to act on priority measures.

The upper chamber began the special session past 9 a.m., presided over by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.

Present in the plenary hall were: Senators Gatchalian, Erwin Tulfo, Ping Lacson, Lito Lapid, Chiz Escudero, Risa Hontiveros, Vicente Sotto III, Bam Aquino, JV Ejercito, Kiko Pangilinan, Raffy Tulfo, and Joel Villanueva. — RSJ, GMA News

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday urged political supporters to remain calm and respect the rule of law as authorities brace for possible protest actions during the special session of Congress.

PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the police force has long prepared calibrated response measures for any eventuality, particularly around the Senate, while emphasizing that there is no need for actions that go beyond the right to peaceful assembly.

“We fully respect everyone’s freedom to express opinion and participate in a political activity, but we believe this can be done without resorting to any move that could compromise the safety of anybody,” Nartatez said in a statement.

The appeal came as Congress convened in a special session called by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. through Proclamation No. 1318 to tackle priority measures that have reached advanced stages in the legislative process.

Despite the legislative agenda, police are anticipating protest actions amid the current political climate.

According to the PNP, more than 300 personnel from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) have been deployed around the Senate, with additional forces on standby should crowd sizes increase.

Authorities have also implemented heightened security measures, including vehicle inspections and strict i