Senators eye extra powers for Duterte to cut red tape, sanction officials

MANILA, Philippines — Senators plan to grant President Duterte temporary authority to quickly cut red tape in government and sanction erring officials in a bid to entice more foreign investors into the country.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the senators had agreed to pass a new measure instead of amending the Ease of Doing Business Act.

“It’s like an antired tape emergency powers during the duration of the state of emergency to allow the President to shorten the prescribed time for government transactions for licenses and permits as well allowing, during this time, to waive the requirements needed to secure these licenses and permits,” Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri told reporters in a Viber message.

The Senate would also reiterate the President’s power to suspend and remove officials involved in red tape instead of having them undergo longer processes under the Civil Service Commission and Office of the Ombudsman, he said.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the Senate agreed that it would be more practical and expeditious to pass a new law to authorize the President to suspend the time frames specified under the antired tape law since the country is under a state of public health emergency.