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- This includes an estimated Php275 billion worth of funds to be allocated to different sectors of the government.
- Netizens have started wondering about what happened to the hundreds of billions of money as the government has allegedly failed to be transparent with their actions.
Philippine Congress has granted President Rodrigo Duterte special temporary powers last March 24 to manage the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Philippines. There has been a surge of cases in the country as there have been 1546 cases and 78 deaths to date.
Using Zoom, a remote teleconferencing service, the measure granting President Duterte the new powers was approved by the Philippine lawmakers. This puts the country under a state of national emergency.
Though he failed to win approval to take over private companies and utilities, the President’s power now extends to the narrower sectors of the hospital and public transportation. He can direct private hospitals and medical facilities to house health care workers and serve as quarantine centers.
It also gave him an estimated Php275 billion pesos in funds allocated for state enterprises to support that nation’s coronavirus response.
This is where netizens have begun to wonder.
People online have started asking about what happened with the billions of pesos transferred into the hands of the President.
One of those asking is Dr. Gia Sison. She demanded the government to “be transparent” as the “emergency funds are not felt”.
Emergency funds are not felt. Anuna po? Be transparent! #TanongNgTaongBayan pic.twitter.com/3zMJSpaw82
— Dr. Gia Sison (@giasison) March 30, 2020
Other netizens joked about the situation, saying that the funds may also be taking part in the quarantine. The whole island of Luzon will be on enhanced community quarantine until April 14, 2020.
Baka naka-quarantine din yung emergency funds? 🤔
— Gang Capati 🇵🇭 (@gangbadoy) March 30, 2020
DAY 5 OF EMERGENCY POWERS:
NGANGA
— Ash Presto 💜 (@sosyolohija) March 29, 2020
Twitter users have pointed out a section of the approved Bayanihan to Heal as One Act stating how the President needs to have a weekly report of all matters done in relation to the Act.
NASAAN NA PO? Section 5 of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act states that: "The President, during Monday of every week, shall submit a weekly report to Congress of all acts performed pursuant to this Act during the immediately preceding week."
— Francis Magsajo (@FrancisMagsajo) March 30, 2020
Thing to watch out for today: Duterte's weekly report to Congress of all his acts last week pursuant to the implementation of the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act (RA 11469).
Ang tanong: may ginawa ba? pic.twitter.com/PqqJNdetk5
— JC Punongbayan (@jcpunongbayan) March 29, 2020
It is now March 30. Duterte is compelled by the law to report on the whereabouts of the 275B that came with his emergency powers. Why do doctors have to be on social media to ask for PPEs? What's with garbage bags as protective gear? That's not safe. What happened to the money? pic.twitter.com/JWWOkdY4Ya
— Kristine Ong Muslim (@kristinemuslim) March 30, 2020
Does anyone know where the BILLIONS from PRRD’s emergency powers are being used? Have there been any official statements about concrete plans?
— Paulo Castro (@pawawawofficial) March 29, 2020
A Twitter user said that if the government won’t see the urgency of the situation, then the quarantine won’t be over on April 14.
Kung hindi aaksiyon ang gobyerno ni Duterte, huwag ninyong i-expect na matatapos ang enhanced community quarantine sa April 14.
— Jerry B. Grácio (@JerryGracio) March 29, 2020
Someone also slammed the words of the Diehard Duterte Supporters (DDS).
DDS: "Gaano katagal ang lockdown? Dipindi kung gaano katigas ang ulo ng mga Pilipino. Mas matigas ang ulo, mas matagal ang lockdown."
very wrong ka dyan sis. Gaano katagal ang lockdown? Dipindi kung kailan gigising si duterte. Mas madaming tulog, mas matagal ang lockdown.
— Just Sagittarius Things (@scorsaguin) March 29, 2020
“Emergency power…. naps”
Can someone remind the president what he has are emergency powers and not emergency power naps
— Richard Bolisay (@richardbolisay) March 29, 2020
Here are other important points made by netizens:
Does anyone know where the BILLIONS from PRRD’s emergency powers are being used? Have there been any official statements about concrete plans?
— Paulo Castro (@pawawawofficial) March 29, 2020
We are not a poor country. We are a robbed country.
Bear that in mind when our politicians secure millions for themselves but claim that we lack the resources to protect our healthcare workers or support the poor.
— Gideon Lasco (@gideonlasco) March 30, 2020
https://twitter.com/PsychKiddo14/status/1244474263400091649
Duterte asked for Special Powers but accomplished nothing.
Leni only asked for small donations but she is doing way better than Duterte and his cronies combined.
When the chips are down and push comes to shove, real leaders stand out while bad politicians expose themselves.
— Sheol (@SheolStatic) March 29, 2020
Taumbayan: Nagdo-donate, nagtutulungan kahit may kakaunting tulong mula sa gobyerno kahit na nabigyan na ng emergency powers ang nawawalang pangulo
Somebody online: Philippines DoEsN't hAvE tHe wOrSe gOvErNmEnT, it hAs tHe wOrSt CiTiZeNs
— Noel Pascual (@noelvpascual) March 29, 2020
Binigyan ng emergency powers pero nagself-isolate? Yung ibang lider, nakakatrabaho pa rin kahit nakaquarantine di ba? Aminin na, Wala na siya. Er, Wala na siyang paki sa atin.
— Ma'amSyj🇵🇭 (@MaamSyj) March 29, 2020
A netizen then pointed out the repercussions of the lack of urgency in the administration’s part.
Kung hindi aaksiyon ang gobyerno ni Duterte, huwag ninyong i-expect na matatapos ang enhanced community quarantine sa April 14.
— Jerry B. Grácio (@JerryGracio) March 29, 2020
Last night, Pres. Rodrigo Duterte reminded local government authorities not to use the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis for their own gain. The president said actions will be taken against local officials who are caught taking advantage of the health crisis.
