President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has certified the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) bill as urgent. Senate Bill No. 2020 is currently under the period of interpellations at the Senate. The President’s certification was read out by Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. o Wednesday, May 24. The certification was then referred to the Senate Committee on Rules chaired by Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva. “With the downgrade of the global growth projection this year on account of debilitating inflation, fluctuating and unstable prices of crude oil, and other fuels due to the protracted conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and continuing interest rate hikes in the international financial sector, there is a compelling need for a sustainable national investment fund as a new growth catalyst to accelerate the implementation of strategic and high-impact large infrastructure projects that will stimulate economic activity and development,” Marcos said in his certification, a copy of which was provided to Senate reporters. Zubiri said voting by senators on the proposed MIF Act may take place next week before Congress adjourns sine die on June 2. To give a push for the approval of the measure,  Zubiri invited the economic managers of the Marcos administration to attend the debate today on the measure being skippered by Senator Mark A. Villar, chairman of the Senate banks and financial institutions committee. They are Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Department of Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Medalla. National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon has been present during the Senate floor debate to help Villar in defending the MIF bill. Asked if there is plan or target to pass the MIF bill today, Zubiri replied: ‘’Not really, its just better for them to show support for the measure and help rally the members to help pass the measure.’’ Villar underscored the goal of the fund to create wealth for the country, which could be used to increase salaries of government workers. During a recent debate, Villar addressed the concern of Senator Pia S. Cayetano on the provision exempting the Maharlika staff from the Salary Standardization Law. Villar said the people needed to manage the fund have to be offered rates that are competitive with the private sector. "We feel that there are certain jobs that require a level of expertise that we would need some flexibility in order to hire the people who could best manage this fund and give the government the best return on its capital,” he added. Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III noted that the Senate majority bloc appeared to rush the approval of the MIF bill although there are other pressing matters to attend to. He also observed that debate on the MIF bill was conducted although there was no quorum last Wednesday, May 17. (With reports by Hannah L. Torregoza)