COVID-19 crisis: Congress convenes in special session

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate and the House of Representatives on Monday separately convened in a special session to tackle a measure declaring a national emergency over the coronavirus disease  2019 (COVID-19) outbreak and granting the President more powers to address its pressing matters.

Congress’ special session comes nearly a week after an enhanced community quarantine was imposed over the entire Luzon amid the rising number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country.

The decision to hold a special session was finalized last Saturday during a meeting between lawmakers and Executive Department officials.

Under Presidential Proclamation 933 dated March 21, 2020, Duterte called on Congress to hold a special session to “authorize the President to exercise powers necessary to carry out urgent measures to meet the current national emergency” relating to the coronavirus pandemic.

This  is “to provide ample latitude to utilize appropriate funds to strengthen governmental response against the threat of the said disease; and to continue providing basic services to the people, in addition to the urgent and critical measures implemented” pursuant to the declaration of a state of public health emergency and a state of calamity throughout the Philippines, the proclamation read.

A draft bill obtained by reporters on Sunday stated that it was “imperative” that Duterte be granted “emergency powers subject to limitations” in order to “optimize” his “efforts to carry out the tasks needed to implement the declared the national policy.

This due to the “urgent need” to curb the spread of the disease, to mobilize assistance to families and individuals, especially indigents, affected by the imposition of enhanced community quarantine, to amply provide healthcare, among others.

Under the draft bill, the President would also be allowed to temporarily take over and direct the operation of “any privately-owned public utility or business affected with public interest to be used in addressing the needs of the public during the COVID-19 emergency as determined by the President.”

But Senate President Vicente Sotto III denied that Duterte is eyeing emergency powers.

He said it would be “completely wrong to say ‘the President is asking for emergency powers’.”

“Firstly, he is not. Nothing in the draft mentions that the President is asking for emergency powers,” Sotto told reporters in a message.

“Secondly, I was instrumental in telling the executive (department) to call for a special session to give the President the authority to give and distribute cash to the people affected by the (enhanced community quarantine),” he added.

The number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines soared to 380 after 73 new cases were confirmed on Sunday.

Of the number, 25 patients have died and 15 have so far recovered.

GSG