- Her dad assured her they have removed a lot of controversial provisions
- She is currently in the country and on an imposed “self-quarantine” spending time with her family.
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan’s daughter Frankie Pangilinan shared their conversation showing her concern with the Senate hearing on approving a bill declaring the existence of a national emergency and granting access to President Rodrigo Duterte to exercise additional powers to address the COVID-19 crisis.
In their conversation, she asked her father, “How are our health workers?”
In reply, Senator Pangilinan said that they have removed a lot of controversial provisions of the said bill such as “no more takeover of public utilities, limiting the powers ’til 90 days, and directing funds for equipment, testing kits, and cash assistance.”
hope this eases your heart as it did mine tonight pic.twitter.com/qGcbHNLa9o
— kakie (@kakiep83) March 23, 2020
On March 23, the Senate approved on third and fourth reading the bill to give President Duterte additional powers to stop the spread of COVID-19.
With these special powers, the president is allowed to move funds as needed under the General Appropriations Act from non-essential to essential items that are required for fighting COVID-19. This action taken is to give poor families a monthly allowance either in cash or mostly food for them to survive.
Kiko Pangilinan is among those who voted “yes” but clarified that he has “serious reservations” on the special powers bill.
Frankie is currently in the country and on an imposed “self-quarantine” spending time with her family.
