By GENALYN D. KABILING
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo yesterday stood firm in calling on Congress for a three-day special session starting March 30 as she pleaded anew to lawmakers to urgently pass the expanded Value-Added Tax (VAT) bill.
The President cited the importance of revenue-generating schemes, particularly the two percentage points VAT hike proposal, in financing the country’s development projects, particularly in the implementation of energy independence programs.
"We cannot hope to build a strong energy if it is built on a foundation of quicksand which is precisely what will happen if we don’t get the VAT and privatization revenues soon," she said in a speech after she inducted new Energy Secretary Rafael Lotilla and National Power Corporation President Cyril del Callar in Malacañang.
Mrs. Arroyo was pushing for power sector reforms, including infrastructure projects, to make the country self-reliant, but reminded that government needs fresh revenues to fund these development programs.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye insisted the President will not withdraw Proclamation No. 811 calling on Congress to hold a special session on March 30, 31, and April 1 amid criticisms it will not yield productive results.
Senate confident of quorum
Senate President Franklin M. Drilon and Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan expressed confidence yesterday that the Senate will be able to muster a quorum for the three-day special session that starts March 30 to tackle only one measure, the controversial amended Value-Added Tax (VAT) bill.
Despite grumblings at the House of Representatives against the special session called by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo last Friday, Drilon said he is sure that the Lower House will have a quorum to be able to convene.
When told that there are legislators who are asking the President to reconsider her call for a special session, Drilon emphasized that the President has the constitutional prerogative to call Congress to a special session.
The Senate chief stressed that the basis for his confidence of the Senate having a quorum was the affirmative reply from 18 senators that they will be in the country when the special session starts.
He said he is assuming that at least 13 of the 18 senators in the country will attend the session. Twelve senators are enough to constitute a quorum.
However, Drilon admitted that he is not sure that the VAT will be approved or not during the special session. (Mario B. Casayuran)
