MANILA, Philippines — If deemed necessary, Senator Bong Go on Monday said he will push for the holding of a special session to approve the supplemental budget for the government’s response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis. Congress is on recess since March 12 and is scheduled to resume session on May 4. The House Committee on Appropriations earlier approved a P1.6-billion supplemental budget for the country’s response against COVID-19. Minority senators—Leila De Lima, Franklin Drilon, Risa Hontiveros, and Francis Pangilinan—on Sunday also called on the Senate to hold a special session for the approval of the supplemental budget. “If the above-mentioned sources prove insufficient, I will recommend to the President that he may call for a Special Session so that Congress can deliberate on the need to approve a supplemental budget,” Go said.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 16, 2020 00:33 UTC