Philippines president seeks more powers to fight Covid-19

A man wearing a protective mask walks past an image of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Manila, Philippines on Friday March 20, 2020. - AP

MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN): Malacañang is upping the ante in the fight against the fast-spreading coronavirus disease, calling Congress to a special session on Monday (March 23) to declare a national emergency and grant President Rodrigo Duterte broad powers, like taking over private businesses, including utilities and hotels, realigning public funds and tapping government savings.

The President has certified as urgent the proposed “Bayanihan Act of 2020, ” a copy of which was widely circulated on social media on Sunday afternoon, as the Department of Health recorded 73 new cases of coronavirus infections, bringing the total number to 380 with 25 deaths.