MANILA, Philippines — A bill declaring the existence of a national emergency due to the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) and authorizing President Rodrigo Duterte to “exercise powers necessary and proper to carry out the declared national policy” has been filed at the Senate.
Such powers though would be granted to the President for a “limited period and subject to restrictions” only as provided for under Senate Bill No. 1413.
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The bill known as “We Heal as One Act” was filed by Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Senator Pia Cayetano on Monday.
The filing of the measure coincided with the opening of the special session by both the Senate and the House of Representatives to address the pandemic that has killed thousands of people around the world.
Below is the copy of the eight-page bill, which provides the specific powers being sought for the President to address the COVID-19 crisis:
