Pichay: Bayanihan Act justified amid COVID-19 threat

Deputy Speaker Prospero Pichay Jr. asserted that the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act is justified due to the significant threat posed by the COVID-19 epidemic.

Pichay cited the emergency situation, questioning if the nation should wait to become like Italy, which has a high number of COVID-19 deaths.

The newly signed law grants President Duterte special powers for at least three months, despite some colleagues deeming it unconstitutional.

Pichay expressed confidence that any Supreme Court challenge to the law would be dismissed, emphasizing the legitimacy of its approval process.

He described the virus as an unseen enemy, potentially more dangerous than a military invasion.

Pichay believes Filipinos cannot afford to underestimate the virus, unlike what he suggests happened in Italy.

He urged citizens to unite and follow government directives to effectively manage the public health emergency.

The Deputy Speaker also credited President Duterte's community quarantine for preventing a potentially worse situation in the country.