MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday indicated that presidential emergency powers to deal with Metro Manila's traffic woes—powers he has since stopped asking Congress to grant—would have included special funding. RELATED: Call revived for Duterte emergency powers vs Metro Manila trafficFunding sources under emergency powers billsBills granting such powers pending in Congress, however, do not stipulate special funding, and instead mandates the use of items in the budget, including savings from special purpose funds (SPFs) as well as foreign aid. Emergency powers work around procurement lawsWhile emergency powers do not grant additional funding, they do allow the president to circumvent existing procurement laws to fast-track transportation projects. Emergency powers also give national government oversight on three-wheeled vehicles like tricycle used for public utility and re-arrange franchises, if necessary. Bills granting emergency powers to Duterte have been pending on second reading on both Senate and the House of Representatives.

Source: Philippine Star September 12, 2018 02:06 UTC