By Argyll Cyrus Geducos Malacañang said the Bayanihan To Heal As One Act is effective until June 25 since the law that sought to give President Duterte special powers to address the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is covered by a sunset provision. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque
(RESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the statement after senators and law experts argued that emergency powers end when Congress's session adjourns. In a text message sent on Saturday (June 6), Roque said there was a sunset clause that governs Republic Act No. 11469. "We maintain that the effectivity of the Bayanihan Act is governed by sunset clause of the law. It is effective until June 25, 2020," he said. Sen. Panfilo Lacson earlier pointed out that the Bayanihan To Heal As One Act has a sunset clause that limits its effectivity to only three months after being signed into law by the President. Section 9 of the Bayanihan Act states that the law shall take effect immediately upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation or in the Official Gazette and shall be in full force and effect only for three months unless extended by Congress. Duterte signed the bill into law on March 24. The Senate tackled the Bayanihan We Recover As One bill (Bayanihan 2) this week but only approved it on the second reading before they adjourned. Roque earlier said President Duterte will not certify Bayanihan 2 as urgent for the time being. He likewise said it would not matter if Congress holds a special session for Bayanihan 2 or tackle it once they resume. "Iyong mga kapangyarihan po na binigay ng Kongreso kay Presidente, nagamit naman po iyan lalung-lalo na iyong pag-purchase ng mga COVID-related medical equipment nang hindi na dadaan sa bidding requirements at saka iyong pag-realign ng budget (The President was able to use the powers granted to him by Congress, particularly in the purchase of COVID-19-related medical equipment without going through bidding and realigning the budget)," Roque said Tuesday. Under Bayanihan 2, low-income households in areas under enhanced community quarantine and households with recently returned overseas Filipino workers will get a monthly subsidy. Displaced workers, including contractual employees, will also get cash assistance. The bill requires implementors to simplify and expedite the distribution of cash aid as well as submit a list of beneficiaries to Congress. The bill also grants a subsidy to college students in private schools and qualified private elementary and junior and senior high school students who are not receiving any assistance from government educational subsidy or voucher programs and are facing financial difficulties.