Rappler
STOPPING CORONAVIRUS Congress reins in Duterte’s special budget powers
Congress has passed a bill granting President Rodrigo Duterte 30 special powers to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
The initial draft of the bill contained controversial and potentially unconstitutional provisions, including the takeover of private businesses and the transfer of appropriations.
Through the legislative process, these questionable items were removed, significantly watering down the original proposal.
Legal experts now argue that the remaining powers granted to the President are already covered by existing laws and may not be necessary.
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President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act of 2020 on Wednesday, March 25, granting him 30 special powers to address the novel coronavirus outbreak.
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Congress will hold a special session on Monday, March 23, to pass a bill allowing President Rodrigo Duterte to realign available national budget funds to address the COVID-19 situation.
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The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives considers the grant of emergency powers to President Duterte more dangerous than the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Congress has granted President Duterte special emergency powers through the "Bayanihan to Heal as One Act of 2020" to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Senate President Vicente Sotto III clarified that the proposed bill to combat COVID-19 does not grant President Duterte emergency powers, despite claims that a letter from Malacañang sought such.
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