Palace Says Three-month Extension of Bayanihan law is ‘Ideal’
Malcañang Palace said Wednesday, the extension of ‘Bayanihan to Heal as One’ law up to three months is ideal to sustain COVID-19 efforts.
The extension of the law will be ‘ideal’, said Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. According to him, extending the law that gives emergency powers to President Rodrigo Duterte is necessary until the vaccine is already available in the country.
“I think it, definitely, is necessary to give us at least 90 days and we’ll see from there if at the end of 90 days, there’s a need for emergency powers still, then it can be extended until December,” he said.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senator Panfilo Lacson already expressed support to the extension that allows Duterte to continue exercising the specials power under the law, based on the report of GMA News. Lacson earlier said Congress may change the law or give new measures extending the President’s special power.
Cagayan de Oro City Representative Rufus Rodrigues have filed a measures aimed at extending Bayanihan law within three months. He also said that the pandemic would not be over after the law expires in June 24.
“The important thing is if Congress gives us three months, 90 days, they will still be in session when the emergency powers ceases because they are still in session in September and they can give the emergency powers anew if they wish to, and if Malacañang would request,” said Roque.
The Bayanihan to Heal as One law was signed by President Duterte on March 24 after he placed the country under stat of public health emergency and state of calamity to combat the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The law only last for three months unless extended by legislature.
Under the law, Duterte sets fund for COVID-19 response, which provide emergency subsidy to 18 million low income family and to facilitate rapid testing of suspected cases.
It also includes, penalties on various offenses such as hoarding and profiteering, citizens disobeying quarantine protocols, local government officials taking advantage of government aids, disobeying national government directives in imposing quarantine rules and spreading false information regarding the COVID-19 crisis.
READ ALSO: WHO To Philippines: Quarantine Ineffective, No Decrease In Cases
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