Palace to respect Congress decision if it extends Bayanihan 2 as P18B still unused

MANILA, Philippines —Malacañang said Monday it would respect Congress’ decision should it extend the validity of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2, confirming that P18.4 billion under the law remained unobligated.

“Tama po na meron tayong P18.4 billion na hindi pa po na-obligate and we respect the wisdom of Congress dahil sila naman po talaga nagbibigay ng polisiya,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing when asked to comment on calls to extend Bayanihan 2.

(It’s correct that we have P18.4 billion that is yet to be obligated and we respect the wisdom of Congress since they are the ones who craft policy on this.)

Roque added he has yet to receive information if President Rodrigo Duterte would call for a special session to extend the law’s validity.

The Bayanihan 2 was supposed to lapse on December 19, 2020, but was extended to June 30 this year.

The House committee on appropriations already approved a bill seeking to further extend the Bayanihan 2 from June 30 to December 31, 2021.

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