No session extension if our Bayanihan Law 2 version adopted –Sotto

Published June 02, 2020 07:51 PM By DONA MAGSINO,GMA News

Congress' session need not be extended beyond this week if the House of Representatives adopted the Senate's version of the Bayanihan Law 2 which is being tackled on the floor in a bid to foster economic recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said on Tuesday.

"If HOR adopts our version, there will be no need for an extension or a special session," Sotto said in a message. "We can pass [it] by Thursday, if certified [urgent]. If not, then we leave to the executive department on their plans."

Senate Bill No. 1564 or the proposed Bayanihan to Recover as One Act is in the period of interpellation at the upper chamber as of posting time.

Among its key provisions is the grant of "necessary powers" to President Rodrigo Duterte until September 30 to allow an efficient government response to the health and economic impacts of the pandemic.

The bill provides for the appropriation of a P236 billion "standby fund" which shall be used to facilitate economic recovery.

Cagayan De Oro City Representative Rufus Rodriguez filed a measure on Monday calling for the extension of the session of Congress until next week to allow for the passage of pending measures related to the COVID-19 response.

House Bill 6815, or the proposed Accelerated Recovery and Investments Stimulus for the Economy (ARISE) Act

which proposes a P1.3 trillion budget has been approved on second reading in the lower house on Monday.

House Bill 6811 extending the first Bayanihan law by three months is also pending in the lower chamber.

Certified as urgent

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said that Malacanang will only certify the Bayanihan Law 2 as urgent if it finds the provisions acceptable, especially the budget aspect.

"They want an extension of the bill to give them enough leeway just in case na magka-second wave. But the measures in the House and now on our floor in the Senate have additional fiscal incentives na hindi na kayang pondohan ng treasury," Zubiri said in a message to reporters.

"So they are waiting for all the amendments to see if it’s acceptable and therefore will come out with the certification as a priority measure," he added.

The Senate is trying its best to finish the period of amendments on Tuesday night, according to Zubiri. Once the bill receives certification of urgency from the Palace, it can be passed on third reading this week.

According to the legislative calendar, the first regular session in Congress will adjourn sine die on June 5. — DVM, GMA News

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