Title
State of Emergency Powers Act
Law
Commonwealth Act No. 671
Decision Date
Dec 16, 1941
Commonwealth Act No. 671 grants the President of the Philippines extraordinary powers to address a state of total emergency caused by war, including the ability to transfer the seat of government, reorganize the government structure, and impose or modify taxes, with the requirement of reporting to Congress for transparency and accountability.
A

Presidential Authority During Emergency

  • The President is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations deemed necessary during the emergency.
  • Empowered actions include:
    • Transfer of the Government seat or its subdivisions, branches, agencies.
    • Reorganization of the Commonwealth Government and determining executive department precedence.
    • Creation or abolishment of government subdivisions, branches, and agencies.
    • Continuation, modification, or suspension of laws and appropriations, especially administrative ones.
    • Imposition, increase, reduction, suspension, or abolition of taxes.
    • Raising funds through bonds or other means, and authorizing expenditure of proceeds.
    • Authorizing government units (national, provincial, city, municipal) to incur overdrafts for approved purposes.
    • Declaring suspension of credit collection or debt payments.
    • Exercising any other powers necessary to fulfill governmental responsibilities and maintain authority.

Presidential Reporting Requirement

  • The President must report all promulgated rules and regulations to the Congress of the Philippines as soon as practicable after convening.

Effectivity and Duration of Authority

  • The act takes effect immediately upon approval.
  • The promulgated rules and regulations remain in force until the Congress decides otherwise.

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