MANILA, Philippines - As the 14th Congress comes to a close, minority solons on Monday called for special session to allow Congress to finish more bills.

"There is a need for a special session. I would suggest that we meet at least 3 more weeks to make up for lost time," said Cagayan De Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez.

There are 2 session days left before Congress adjourns on February 5 to make way for the election campaign period.

"The problem is the Senate has been very much stymied by the C-5 controversy. I believe the last session days would still be much on the C-5 controversy. My question is: what happens to all the bills approved by the House because of the importance given to the C-5  issue?" he added.

The call was supported by Sorsogon Rep. Salvador Escudero and Akbayan party-list representative Walden Bello.

It's up to GMA

Sought for comment, House Speaker Prospero Nograles said it is the call of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo if a special session is needed.

"There's no problem with me as Speaker if we hold special sessions to pass the remaining priority legislation. However,  it is only the President who can call for a special session. If the President wishes that we should call for a special session, the House is ready and willing to hold the special session," Nograles said.

However, Nograles said he cannot assure that they can muster a quorum if the sessions are extended.

"Personally, I would want these remaining legislations to be passed, but even as Speaker, the quorum problem is beyond my control because a lot of our congressmen are now focused in their respective campaigns," he said.

But Rodriguez said it's only right for Congress to adjust its calendar because of the early deadline of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the filing of certificates of candidacy.

The deadline of filing of certificates of candidacies one month earlier than previous elections--from December 31 to December 1. It meant a few session days lost to accommodate the deadline.

"The 3rd regular session has the least number of days compared to the first 2 regular sessions. The reason for this is we gave time for the filing of the certificate of candidacy," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said he has about 50 pending bills--national and local--awaiting action in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

"I know that many presidentiables (sic) are in the Senate. They may not want to cut the time for the presidential campaign. I would urge the President to call for a special session. Under the Constitution, the President can call for it anytime," he added.