Bayanihan law expiration won't affect distribution of cash aid, other forms of assistance –Palace

Malacañang on Monday said the distribution of cash aid and other forms of assistance would continue even if the law that gave President Rodrigo Duterte special powers to respond to the COVID-19 crisis expires.

"'Yung mga benepisyo na hindi pa natatanggap ng ating mga kababayan na nakapaloob sa Bayanihan Act will be given to them,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a televised briefing.

"Wala pong epekto itong diskusyon kung kailan ang expiration ng law pagdating doon sa second tranche ng ayuda at iba pang mga ayuda na dapat maibigay."

The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act has allowed the President to realign funds for COVID-19 response, provide emergency subsidy to workers of small businesses and 18 million low-income families in the country, as well as speed up the procurement of necessary medical equipment and supplies.

The Palace said the law's three-month effectivity would end on June 25 but senators argued that the special powers given to the President to address the national emergency had already expired following the adjournment of Congress on June 5.

"Kung wala po sigurong expiration date na nakalagay sa batas, then the constitutional provision that special powers shall cease upon the recess of Congress will apply,” Roque, a lawyer and former lawmaker, said.

"Pero since Congress knows what it is doing when they legislated the Bayanihan Act, they said it will expire within three months after the effectivity of the law then we will respect the intent of Congress.”

Senators Frankilin Drilon and Panfilo Lacson said last week that the President can realign savings within the executive branch to fund COVID-19 response activities even after the expiration of the Bayanihan law.

The Senate tried but failed to pass a new version of the law before the month-long recess after the Palace decided not to certify the proposal as urgent for now. --KBK, GMA News