Joint Session - Philippines

Philippines

In the Philippines, Congress can only convene in a joint session on the following conditions:

• To declare the existence of a state of war
• Canvassing of votes after a presidential election
• Every State of the Nation Address
• Revocation or extension of the
  • Proclamation of martial law, or
  • Suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus

While the State of the Nation address occurs annually, and presidential elections occur every six years, the only time the other two conditions were met after the approval of the 1987 constitution was after the declaration of martial law in Maguindanao after the Maguindanao massacre.

Joint sessions are typically held at the seat of the House of Representatives, which is at the Batasang Pambansa Complex, Quezon City.