Manila, March 24 -- Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno on Tuesday called on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to certify as urgent House Bill No. 8495 seeking a PHP52.8-billion supplemental budget for the repatriation of affected overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and financial assistance for transport sector workers, farmers and fisherfolk amid the worsening Middle East crisis.

"The ongoing conflict in the Middle East creates a spillover effect on the cost of other goods. Nananawagan tayo sa Malacanang na i-certify bilang urgent ang panukalang ito (We are calling on Malacanang to certify this bill as urgent)," Diokno said in a statement.

"As Congress is on a break, we urge our colleagues in the House to hold committee deliberations on t...