Safeguards pushed if Duterte given emergency powers

MANILA, Philippines - Congress should ensure safeguards if emergency powers would be granted to president-elect Rodrigo Duterte to address the traffic woes in Metro Manila, Senate President Franklin Drilon said yesterday. 

Drilon said granting Duterte emergency powers would allow him to enter into contracts on transport-related projects without public bidding.

Drilon said he was open to granting Duterte emergency powers even beyond the proposed two years as long as the necessary safeguards are incorporated in the congressional authority.

“I want to study the powers that they want pertaining to efforts to address the traffic problem,” he said.

Congress should deliberate whether to allow Duterte to revoke contracts signed by the Aquino administration and then enter into new agreements to solve the traffic crisis, Drilon said.

“It remains to be seen if these are among the powers that may be given to the incoming president,” Drilon said.

“We are willing to go to three years as long as we find solution to the traffic problems not only in Metro Manila but also in Cebu. I have an open mind,” he added.

Asked if there should be two different measures for Metro Manila and Metro Cebu, Drilon said, “You can have a law of general application insofar as the emergency powers for traffic is concerned.”

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III earlier said the Senate and House of Representatives were willing to grant Duterte emergency powers by August to solve the traffic mess.

Apart from opening up private subdivisions and overriding city resolutions concerning traffic policies, Pimentel did not rule out that Duterte may be allowed to rescind contracts found disadvantageous to the government and enter into new ones without the necessary public bidding.