Congress approves bill giving Duterte powers to battle COVID-19

March 24, 2020

Congress approved early Tuesday a bill granting President Rodrigo Duterte powers to carry out needed measures to cope with the 2019 coronavirus disease(COVID-19).

The House of Representatives approved House Bill 6616, or the Bayanihan Act of 2020, with 284 yes, nine no and no absentions..

The Senate approved Senate Bill 1418, 19, according to Senate President Vicente Sotto III in his Twitter post.

Around 3 am, the House adopted the Senate Bill 1418, amending House Bill 6616.

The measure will now go to President Rodrigo Duterte for approval. DMS