Senators defend bill granting Duterte powers to address COVID-19

Senators defended the bill they approved to grant President Rodrigo Duterte additional powers to address the COVID-19 situation.

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Representative Mike Defensor criticized the Senate version for being too specific and stringent.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said that government officials were present during the 18-hour discussions and amendments.

The House of Representatives approved their own version of the bill, criticizing the Senate's version as overly detailed.