Bill giving Marcos flexibility to use 2022 budget being eyed by solons

Another Bayanihan law is being eyed, this time to give incoming president Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. the power to utilize the national budget that he will "inherit" for this year, at least two lawmakers said on Thursday.

House Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, cousin of Marcos who is poised to become the Speaker in the 19th Congress, said the eyed "Bayan Bangon Muli"bill  would still be used to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We've been approached by some folks, 'Uy gawin mo na lang ano, imbis na Bayanihan... gawin mong BBM, Bayan Bangon Muli na bill, stimulus package that will allow the incoming president to harness the resources available to him during this closing period of 2022 and address the measures that are needed for the pandemic, hopefully endemic stage of this COVID issue," Romualdez said in an ambush interview.

"And of course to harness whatever remaining resources to stimulate the economy and to reinvigorate it," he added.

The Bayanihan law was passed to supplement funds for the recovery and response of the government against the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, which hit the country in March 2020.

Albay Representative Joey Salceda said the suggested law would give Marcos the authority to make adjustments in the budget that he would inherit for fiscal year 2022.

"Baka magkaroon po tayo ng Bayanihan pero lalabas po Bayan Bangon Muli Act which will give the president special powers, especially 'yung budget po na inherit niya for the rest of the year is already set in stone so we'll give greater flexibility in utilizing or basically kung ano pa 'yung natitira diyan to make adjustments or reenactments,"Salceda said.

No further detail was released about the measure that is being considered.—AOL, GMA News