22/03/2020
President Duterte sought for Powers!
The President citing Section 23 (2), Art. VI,
SECTION 23. (2) In times of war or other national emergency, the Congress may, by law, authorize the President, for a limited period and subject to such restrictions as it may prescribe, to exercise powers necessary and proper to carry out a declared national policy. Unless sooner withdrawn by resolution of the Congress, such powers shall cease upon the next adjournment thereof.
The following are the Powers to be granted to Duterte include allowing him to “temporarily take over or direct the operation” of privately-owned businesses needed to address the needs of the public during the coronavirus emergency such as hotels, public transportation, and telecommunication.
Other authorized powers in the proposed bill include the authority to allow Duterte to do the following:
1. Minimize the spread of the coronavirus
2. Authorize testing of suspected patients
3. Ensure local government units (LGUs) follow protocols listed by the national government
4. Adopt measures to prevent hoarding, profiteering, price manipulation, and other practices that would affect the supply of food and other goods
5. Undertake “in the most expeditious manner” procurement of goods such a personal protective equipment, testing kits, and other medical supplies; utilities, telecommunications, and other services needed to operate quarantine centers, leasing of property to house workers; establishment of medical facilities
6. Lower lending rates of interest and reserve requirements of lending institutions
7. Liberalize grants for incentives of manufacture or importation of supplies needed to address the coronavirus outbreak
8. Require businesses to accept and prioritize contracts for services needed to address the outbreak
9. Regulate and limits the operation of transportation in both public and private road, rail, aviation, and maritime sectors
10. Regulate traffic of all roads, streets, bridges; prohibit putting up of road obstacles
11. Continue authorizing alternative work arrangements for government employees in executive branch
12. Conserve and regulate the distribution of power, fuel, energy, water
13. Realign and reprogram government funds
14. Direct LGUs and GOCCs to “revisit their annual budgets and reprogram their priorities in accordance with existing laws” and rules to address the coronavirus outbreak
15. “Undertake such other measures as may be reasonable and necessary” to address the outbreak
What is your thoughts on these powers?