Ping offers to explain Anti-Terror Bill’s constitutionality to VP Robredo

Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Friday offered to explain to Vice President Leonor Robredo the constitutionality of the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, after Robredo insisted the measure is unconstitutional.

Lacson, who sponsored the anti-terrorism measure in the Senate, said he is even willing to accommodate anyone who Robredo will invite.

“Madam Vice President, if you will give me the opportunity, I am willing to explain to you and anyone you want to invite to listen why the Anti Terrorism Bill is not violative of the Constitution,” he said in a post on his Twitter account.

Madam Vice President, if you will give me the opportunity, I am willing to explain to you and anyone you want to invite to listen why the Anti Terrorism Bill is not violative of the Constitution.
Robredo firm on unconstitutionality of anti-terror bill https://t.co/bkhPoNXO4T

— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) June 25, 2020

Robredo on Thursday questioned the provision in the anti-terrorism bill that allows the detention of suspects without arrest warrant for 14 to 24 days.

She said this is “very objectionable” because it is “bound to be abused.”

Lacson earlier noted the 14-day detention period was a policy decision of Congress and does not go against the 1987 Constitution.

He said the allowable periods of detention are determined by Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code, a general law which can be amended by Congress.

Citing the deliberations of the Constitutional Commission in 1986, Lacson said the ConCom delegates at the time did not have any intention of restricting the powers of Congress to fix the allowable period of detention arising from an arrest.

Also, Lacson pointed out the proposed period of detention of up to 14 days and its extension by another 10 days is to be treated as a policy decision of Congress “after considering the unique nature and effects of the crime of terrorism as thoroughly explained during our public hearings and in plenary session.”

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)