MANILA,Philippines — Malacañang has turned down proposals to grant President Duterte special powers meant to help him expedite flagship projects under the administration’s Build, Build, Build (BBB) program. He also stressed the Office of the President will not hesitate to use the full force of the law in exercising its power of imminent domain to address right-of-way issues. “The President will implement and maximize what is presently available under our laws for this purpose,” Panelo said in a statement. Panelo said this power is “particularly essential in securing rights of way, an issue that hampered the construction of vital infrastructure.”“The current agencies involved in the infrastructure program are presently utilizing this process,” he said. Duterte’s allies have been aggressive in campaigning for the BBB program, defending it from critics, particularly Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon who described it as a dismal failure.

Source: Philippine Star November 16, 2019 16:00 UTC