Lloyd Saladaga
Senator Tito Sotto vented his anger on Twitter as the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act or the Republic Act 11469 which he principally authored is now being used against his nephew, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), under its anti-graft division, “invited” the Pasig mayor to explain his violation of the Bayanihan Act, presumably when the mayor allowed tricyles to operate in the city in order to help frontliners get to work. NBI cited Section 6A of the said act, which penalizes “LGU officials disobeying national government policies or directives in imposing quarantines.”
“NBI will be well advised to be cautious in their interpretation of the law I principally authored. Any so-called violation of RA 11469 can’t be retroactive!” said Senator Sotto.
NBI will be well advised to be cautious in their interpretation of the law I principally authored. Any so called violation of RA 11469 can't be retroactive!
— Tito Sotto (@sotto_tito) April 1, 2020
The law was just signed last March 24 by President Rodrigo Duterte while the alleged violation happened several days before. Laws cannot be retroactive, meaning that violations of the law that happened before it was signed won’t be covered.
“What are they talking about? Laws are never retroactive if detrimental to any accused,” the Senator added.
What are they talking about? Laws are never retroactive if detrimental to any accused. https://t.co/QIT6uEji79
— Tito Sotto (@sotto_tito) April 1, 2020
Laws are never retroactive if detrimental to any accused. What are they talking about? https://t.co/ae2djITRbn
— Tito Sotto (@sotto_tito) April 1, 2020
NBI’s summons for Vico Sotto caught national attention, as netizens on Twitter showed their unwavering support for the Pasig City Mayor with the hashtag #ProtectVico. The hashtag even reached #1 on worldwide trends.
2 Comments