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List of joint sessions of legislatures of the Philippines

The following is a list of joint sessions of legislatures of the Philippines, including the historical Philippine Legislature and its successor, the Congress of the Philippines. Since the establishment of an entirely elected bicameral legislature in 1916, following the creation of the Philippine Senate which replaced the Philippine Commission, joint sessions have been held with the House of Representatives (formerly the Philippine Assembly). American governor-generals and, later, Philippine presidents traditionally delivered addresses to both houses during the opening of legislative sessions.

Francis Burton Harrison was the first governor-general to deliver a message to the national legislature in 1916, following the enactment of the Jones Law creating the Philippine Senate. No joint sessions were held from 1935 to 1945 after the establishment of the unicameral National Assembly under the 1935 Constitution, and again from 1973 to 1987 after Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law and abolished Congress, with legislative powers subsequently exercised by Corazon Aquino under the provisional government following Marcos's deposition.

Legislators elected in 1941 assumed office only on June 9, 1945, after the interruption caused by World War II, with Sergio Osmeña delivering the first State of the Nation Address by a Philippine president before Congress. On six occasions, foreign heads of state or government have also addressed the Senate and the House convened jointly, the first being U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1960.

The most recent joint session of Congress was held on July 28, 2025, during the fourth State of the Nation Address of president Bongbong Marcos. The most recent foreign dignitary to address both houses was Fumio Kishida as Prime Minister of Japan in 2023.

1910s

1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Upcoming joint sessions

See also

Notes

References