Duterte to certify Bayanihan 2 as urgent —Palace

President Rodrigo Duterte will certify as urgent the bill seeking a stimulus package to offset the impact of the COVID-19 crisis,  Malacañang said Thursday.

Duterte’s spokesperson Harry Roque said the proposed measure will support the recovery of the pandemic-hit economy.

“’Yung Bayanihan 2 naman po isa po ‘yan sa napakalakas na sandata na gagamitin natin para tayo ay makabangon dito sa aberya ng COVID,” Roque said. “Sigurado ako [na] isi-certify [ng pangulo] as urgent.”

Congress adjourned session last month without passing the bill seeking to extend the validity of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, which gave Duterte special powers for three months to effectively tackle the COVID-19 crisis.

The law expired on June 25.

Duterte is expected to unveil the country’s COVID-19 recovery plan on July 27 when he delivers his fifth State of the Nation Address. —KBK, GMA News