THREAD: House of Representatives holds special session to grant President Duterte authority to realign funds for the government’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Lawmakers observe social distancing, officials wear face masks | Live stream bit.ly/2UuEWnG
Lawmakers observe social distancing, officials wear face masks | Live stream bit.ly/2UuEWnG
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano leads special session on COVID-19 response, starts by praising President Duterte for his efforts: We are thanking him for all he has done to defeat COVID-19, all he has done to minimize the effect of COVID-19 bit.ly/2QAdEv2
House Secretary General reads proposed bill declaring national emergency bit.ly/2QAdEv2
House adopts Resolution 799 informing the Senate about the House special session
House adopts Senate Concurrent Resolution 9 creating joint committee of both Houses to exercise functions on COVID-19 response
House Bill 6616, the House version of the bill drafted by Malacañang granting Duterte emergency powers to address COVID-19 outbreak, being read on the floor. Senior Deputy Majority Leader Jesus Crispin Remulla moves to convene the lower chamber into a committee of the whole
Session temporarily suspended for a few minutes. 299 members are deemed present in the session as most of them are participating via teleconferencing. 20 congressmen are physically present
Ground rules for the committee of the whole now being read.
Members of Minority will first do their interpellation, to be followed by the Majority, then independents
Members of Minority will first do their interpellation, to be followed by the Majority, then independents
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea: This is a time when our normal life has been severely changed, as if it has turned upside down. We are not alone in this
ES Medialdea: We come before you with the conviction that in the most challenging of times, our democratic institutions are up to the challenge and will prevail
ES Medialdea reads summary of draft provisions under the proposed national emergency bill bit.ly/2UaDmIp
ES Medialdea on the controversial provision allowing presidential takeover of businesses: It is a power which we do not consider necessary to be exercised at all times bit.ly/2UykYIu
ES Medialdea: The power to take over is merely intended as a standby power… when the government is left with no choice but to take over these establishments bit.ly/2UykYIu
ES Medialdea: The intent of the proposal was simply to grant to government a standby power
ES Medialdea: The intent of the proposal was simply to grant to government a standby power. The power will only last as long as COVID-19 will last. This administration has no intention to abuse the powers we are asking of you today bit.ly/2UaDmIp
ES Medialdea: We are requesting it this early because we don't know how quickly the Congress can convene if and when we reach that point, thus we opted to include it bit.ly/2UaDmIp
House ends period of interpellation for HB 6616.
House reopens period of debate after Deputy Majority Leader Mikey Arroyo withdrew his motion, says House should let other lawmakers speak up on the issue.
Villafuerte on absence of 'takeover of public utilities, businesses' provision in proposed measure: Takeover is substantially different from directing operations. (1/3)
Villafuerte: The main intent of this is basically, if there are areas where there are no private hospitals, public hospitals, and there's a need to directly operate, at least the government has the power to direct them to accept patients. (2/3)
Villafuerte: This provision, basically, is to protect public interest, in this case, taking care of COVID patients. (3/3)
Villafuerte says that all actions are legal and the Constitution will be respected with regards to the bill granting emergency powers to the President.
Villafuerte says the government does not intend to takeover the private companies like hospitals.
House reopens period of sponsorship and interpellation on House Bill No. 6616.
House opens and immediately closes the period of amendments on HB 6616.
