Robredo: Pre-trial detention of up to 24 days violates the Constitution

MANILA, Philippines — Contrary to the stand of President Rodrigo Duterte, Vice President Leni Robredo believes that detention of up to 24 days without a warrant under the anti-terror bill is a violation of the Constitution.

The President sees no problem with the pre-trial detention of suspected terrorists under the proposed measure, Malacañang said Wednesday.

“Hindi lang ‘yan 14 days, it is even extendable to 10 days so 24 days na yun. And it’s against the Constitution,” Robredo said in an interview over ANC.

(That’s not only 14 days, but it is also even extendable to 10 days so that’s 24 days. And it’s against the Constitution.)

“The Constitution specifically states that for a warrantless arrest, hanggang three days lang.

(The Constitution specifically states that for a warrantless arrest, it’s only up to three days.)

Under Section 18, Article VII of the Constitution wherein it says that even when martial law is declared and that the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus is suspended, “any person thus arrested or detained shall be judicially charged within three days, otherwise, he shall be released.”

“I am all our against terrorism. Pero yung sa akin, dalawang bagay kasi. There are very objectionable provisions in the anti-terror law. These provisions are objectionable because they are bound to be abused,” Robredo said.

(I am all our against terrorism. But for me, there are two things. There are very objectionable provisions in the anti-terror law. These provisions are objectionable because they are bound to be abused.)

“Yung number two, the manner in which the anti-terror [bill] has been passed sa House of Representatives. Yung sakin, nagkakagulo na nga tayo dahil sa pandemic tapos nire-railroad pa yung pagpasa,” she went on.

(Number two, the manner in which the anti-terror [bill] has been passed sa House of Representatives. For me, we are in chaos due to the pandemic and they railroaded how it was passed.)

Robredo said it would benefit all if more debates are to held and if the House of Representatives was open to amendments.

Earlier, Malacañang said the President is inclined to sign the anti-terror bill into law.

Meanwhile, the President himself said his legal team is still reviewing the proposed measure which has yet to arrive on his desk.

/MUF