Senator Sonny Angara on Monday cautioned President Rodrigo Duterte from talking about the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, citing its chilling effect on the people.
Angara, who is also a lawyer, took to Twitter to air his sentiment on the issue.
“Incumbent officials should be careful when talking about the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. Very peculiar history since the 70s,” he said.
“The safeguards of the 1987 Constitution on the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus are there because of (officials’) abuse/misuse decades ago,” the senator added.
Asked who he was referring to in his Twitter post, Angara pointed to the President and his Cabinet, who he said he said have been discussing it lately.
“Hopefully, it is just an idea because it can be abused,” he said.
Asked again how public discussion of the issue could affect the public, the senator said: “Ninerbyos ang iba.”
Duterte earlier warned that he might be forced to suspend the writ of habeas corpus if lawlessness in the country escalates though he was quick to clarify that he would not declare martial law.
“If lawlessness becomes widespread, I might be forced to—I don’t want to do it, I don’t want to. It’s just my warning to them. I don’t want it because it’s not good,” the President said.
“But if you force my hand into it, I will declare the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, not martial law. I have no political plans,” he added.
READ: Duterte warns of suspension of habeas corpus writ
Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar later said the possibility of suspending the writ of habeas corpus was “just an idea that was floated” by the President./rga
READ: Suspension of writ of habeas corpus just an idea–Palace