Checks and balances in place in order to carry out provisions under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 4) — The Senate will continue to perform its oversight functions in scrutinizing what will be done with the ₱275 billion emergency COVID fund.

This was the assurance given by Senator Risa Hontiveros during her virtual press briefing on Saturday.

According to the senator, Congress has the power to perform checks and balances to ensure that the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act is carried out without any abuses.

Hontiveros said, “The Senate must exercise its oversight functions. I’ll be very active that Bayanihan Law is exercised without abuse and funds will reach those who need it most.”

The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act or RA 11649 was signed into law on March 25.

It grants the President additional authority to prevent coronavirus disease from spreading.

The act also allows the President to reallocate, realign, and reprogram ₱275 billion from the ₱438 billion national budget in response to the pandemic.

A measure in the Bayanihan act allows a joint congressional oversight committee to scrutinize acts, orders, rules and regulations imposed by the President.

The senator added, the President must also include in his weekly report how the enhanced community quarantine is helping to contain the virus.