News outlets are reporting that the situation in the Philippines has greatly devolved at a rapid pace, so much so that not only was a state of emergency declared and lockdowns put into effect, but that Malacañang is now seeking a bill to push through Congress in order to grant President Rodrigo Duterte special powers during these trying times.
CNN Philippines is reporting that the proposals have already been made and Duterte is looking to take control of various social and municipal functions during the epidemic.
ABS-CBN News posted up an image of the draft on March 22nd, 2020, which you can view below.
BREAKING: Malacañang is asking PH Congress to declare a nat’l emergency, grant special powers to Pres. Duterte to address the crisis spawned by #COVID19, based on copy of Malacañang’s proposed bill sent to Senate, a copy of which ABS-CBN News has just obtained. | via @mikenavallo pic.twitter.com/8ddpoBOYJk
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) March 22, 2020
At the moment, various parts of the Philippines have already gone on lockdown, including Luzon and various areas of Visayas and Mindanao. Luzon is expected to stay on lockdown until April 16th, as reported by The South China Morning Post.
Rappler.com posted up a complete breakdown of what the Senate is proposing in the bill, which was outlined in a livestream.
If you’re not keen on watching a replay of the stream, they also tweeted out everything that was contained within the bill, and how it would affect the citizens of the Philippines, whether it be travel, social services, or accessing medical facilities.
LOOK: Senate Bill 1413, co-authored by Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senator Pia Cayetano (1/2) | via @reyaika #COVID19PH pic.twitter.com/5wCu0fD3pr
— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) March 23, 2020
As Sotto had repeatedly told reporters yesterday, the Senate bill does not give the President “emergency powers”. In this case, it “grants [Duterte] authority subject to limitations” | via @reyaika #COVID19PH pic.twitter.com/WADtUAy9nU
— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) March 23, 2020
The Senate bill also gives the President the power to realign funds in the 2019 and 2020 GAA. Section 4(16) allows to “reprogram, reallocate, realign” funds in 2020 GAA for social amelioration, recovery, and rehab of communities. | via @reyaika #COVID19PH pic.twitter.com/cjUkAPE5gK
— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) March 23, 2020
The section on effectivity states it will take effect IMMEDIATELY upon publication in a newspaper or in the Official Gazette and will be enforced for 2 MONTHS OR LONGER if the “calamity persists, as determined by the President” | via @reyaika #COVID19PH pic.twitter.com/K0Rrd1IScC
— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) March 23, 2020
Some people are for the measure as it means more government intervention to prevent the spread of the virus, while others are against wresting more control into the hands of the government.
(Thanks for the news tip Mad Lucied The Knight Blazer)
(Main image courtesy of Seamonkey)