Philippine president seeks powers over firms, supplies, funds to avert crisis

By Martin Petty and Neil Jerome Morales
MANILA, March 23 (Reuters) - The Philippine Congress held a
special session over the internet on Monday to debate a push by
the country's strongman leader to adopt sweeping emergency
powers, in a bid to avert chaos from a rapid spread of
coronavirus.
With borders closed to foreigners and tens of millions of
people on home quarantine, President Rodrigo Duterte wants the
power to - where necessary - control supplies and public
utilities, order businesses to help government, and pull funds
from state enterprises and departmental budgets to redirect into
emergency health needs.
If approved, the granting of the powers would be one of the
most aggressive steps to tackle coronavirus as governments
worldwide roll out stricter measures, including across Southeast
Asia, which saw a more than doubling of cases in the past week
to nearly 3,700, from 166 a month ago.
The Philippines has confirmed 396 cases and 33 deaths, but
health officials acknowledge limited testing for the coronavirus
means its already overstretched health system could be facing
far more infections than the numbers indicate.
"It is a step we were reluctant to take, but the
circumstances and the experience of nations worldwide convinced
us that we have no other choice," Duterte's Executive Secretary
Salvador Medialdea told a near-empty Congress, with most
lawmakers streaming the session at home.
The Philippines was the first Southeast Asian country to
adopt lockdown measures, but more are following suit as cases
soar, with Vietnam and Malaysia deploying soldiers to help with
quarantines or to enforce curbs on travel and gatherings.
Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, has joined Thailand and
Cambodia in shutting bars, cinemas and public entertainment
venues.
A draft of Duterte's bill seen by Reuters seeks a "unified
national policy" that would, if required, allow the government
to temporarily take control of private utilities, telecoms and
transport operators or businesses in the public interest, and
force hotels, venues and rental properties to accommodate
medical workers or quarantine facilities.
It could also control roads, prices, supplies and
distribution of power, fuel and goods like food, water, cleaning
products, clothing and medical supplies, imported or made
domestically.
It would also grant the treasury the ability to take back
departmental funds to spend on critical or essential services.
Duterte's has a supermajority in both chambers, so the bill
is expected to pass, although the opposition is concerned about
the scope of the powers and potential for abuse.
The government is playing down the extent of the powers that
Duterte would have, wary of public unease over emergency decrees
and draconian measures dating back to the 1970s, under the late
dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
Medialdea said the measures would be rescinded when the
virus was managed and many would be "standby powers" for if a
crisis erupted and "our most critical institutions are nearing a
total shutdown".