Joint session of the Congress of the Philippines

Joint session of the Congress of the Philippines
 
Seals of the Senate (left) and of the House of Representatives (right)
Leadership
Francis Escudero, NPC
since May 20, 2024
Martin Romualdez (Lakas)
since July 25, 2022
Seats340 voting members
  • 24 senators
  • 316 representatives
Meeting place
Batasang Pambansa Complex, Batasan Hills, Quezon City, Philippines

A joint session of the Congress of the Philippines is a gathering of members of the two chambers of the bicameral legislature of the government of the Philippines: the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Background

A joint session can be convened for the following:

List of joint sessions

State of the Nation Addresses

Main article: List of State of the Nation Addresses (Philippines)
Congress Date President
First made before a joint session 1st (Commonwealth) June 9, 1945 Sergio Osmeña
Most recent 19th July 24, 2023 Bongbong Marcos

Receiving foreign dignitaries

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaking at a Congress joint session in November 2023.

Special joint sessions can also be convened to facilitate visiting foreign leaders' addresses to Congress.[4]

Congress Date Foreign dignitary Notes
Name Country Title
4th June 15, 1960 Dwight Eisenhower United States President Eisenhower spoke about the two countries' cooperation and mutual opposition toward communism.[5]
12th October 18, 2003 George W. Bush United States President Bush underscored the military alliance of the United States and the Philippines as well as pledged to help the Philippines modernize its military.[6]
13th April 19, 2005 Pervez Musharraf Pakistan President Musharraf addressed the Moro people to disavow terrorism and abandon secessionism. He also pledged Pakistan's support for Philippines' bid for observer status in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.[7]
April 27, 2005 Hu Jintao China President Hu announced a "golden age" in Sino-Philippine ties and assured China is a good neighbor. He also emphasized the growth of the economic ties between China and ASEAN.[8]
February 6, 2006 A. P. J. Abdul Kalam India President Kalam showcased the "Indo-Philippine Cooperation Roadmap" which proposed bolstering economic ties between India and the Philippines. He encouraged the Philippines to develop its solar power industry.[9]
19th November 4, 2023 Fumio Kishida Japan Prime Minister Kishida pledged to further military cooperation between his country and the Philippines. He also touted cooperation between the two countries alongside the United States in guaranteeing "freedom in the South China Sea" (See Territorial disputes in the South China Sea).[10]

References

  1. ^ "Rules of the Joint Public Session of Congress for the Canvassing of the Votes for the Presidential and Vice-presidential Candidates in the May 9, 2022 Elections" (PDF). House of Representatives of the Philippines. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  2. ^ Cervantes, Filane Mikee (13 March 2017). "Congress holds joint session on martial law extension". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  3. ^ Elemia, Camille (27 May 2017). "No joint session on martial law? Congress 'shields' Duterte". Rappler. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  4. ^ Chi, Cristina (1 November 2023). "Congress to hold joint session for Japan PM Kishida". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  5. ^ "Address Before a Joint Session of the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives". The American Presidency Project. University of California, Santa Barbara. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  6. ^ "Leftist Filipino MPs walk out on Bush". Al Jazeera. 18 April 2003. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  7. ^ Diaz, Jess (20 April 2005). "Musharraf urges local Muslims: Abandon terrorism". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  8. ^ Diaz, Jess (28 April 2005). "'RP, China ties in a golden age'". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  9. ^ Porcalla, Delon; Adraneda, Katherine (7 February 2006). "Indian president addresses Congress, urges RP to use solar energy". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  10. ^ "Japan, Philippines, U.S. team up in South China Sea, Kishida says". Nikkei Asia. Reuters. 4 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.