Duterte urges Congress to pass proposed ‘Bayanihan 2’ law

President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his 5th State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives Complex in Quezon City on July 27, 2020. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte called on Congress to pass the proposed “We Recover as One Law” or the Bayanihan 2 to help speed up the country’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, Duterte thanked lawmakers for the passage of the “Bayanihan to Heal As One Act” or Republic Act 11469.

Duterte said he is now hoping that Congress will accord Bayanihan 2 the same treatment it gave the first law.

“I hope that we can get some or the same treatment of clarity, purpose, and the fastness to support the passage of the Bayanihan [to Recover as One Act], which will supplement funds for recovery and response against the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Duterte said.

The Bayanihan 2 Act is the second version of the Bayanihan Act which granted Duterte additional powers to reallocate portions of the 2019 and 2020 funds in the national government’s pandemic response.

The Bayanihan 1 lapsed on June 24.

The Bayanihan 2 Act was supposed to be passed by Congress last month but it failed to hurdle the third reading in the Senate before it adjourned.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III earlier expressed confidence that the Bayanihan 2 Act will be passed after the Duterte’s penultimate Sona.

JPV