Vico on NBI probe: Bayanihan Act was signed March 24
Published Apr 1, 2020 12:00 am
By Dhel Nazario
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto has asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) if they know that the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act was passed into law on March 24.
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto
(KEVIN TRISTAN ESPIRITU / MANILA BULLETIN) This was in reaction to the NBI's investigation of Sotto's alleged violation of Republic Act No. 11469, the Bayanihan To Heal As One Act, for “for disobeying national government policies or directives in imposing quarantines.” "We complied with all directives. Hindi po illegal magbigay ng opinyon. At alam kaya nila na March 24 naging batas ang Bayanihan Act?" Sotto wrote in a Twitter post. (It is not illegal to give an opinion. And do they know that the Bayanihan Act was passed into law on March 24?) On March 17, Sotto temporarily allowed the operation of tricycles with limited passengers since the free rides of the local government would not be enough to ferry health workers as well those working in essential services. Sotto said that based on the city government's risk assessment, they could not completely ban tricycles at that point in time. On March 18, Sotto posted on his Facebook about bus services for health workers as well as those who are exempted from movement during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). During that time, Sotto wrote in a post that he prays tricycles would be allowed to continue to operate, as their suspension would compromise the public health situation. He said residents who need immediate medical attention, as well as cancer, kidney dialysis, and COVID-19 patients, would be forced to walk five kilometers or so, and tricycles would be big help to them. On March 19, Sotto said he would comply with the directive of the national government and suspend the tricycle operations during the ECQ. His suggestion that they be allowed to operate was rejected by the Palace itself. “We are not arguing with them, we just expressed our opinion based on our analysis and experience on the ground,” Sotto said. Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra explained Wednesday that offenses committed prior the signing of a law cannot be penalized. “Penal provisions of any law are not applied retroactively unless the offense is a continuing one and its commission has not been stopped,” Guevarra said.
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto(KEVIN TRISTAN ESPIRITU / MANILA BULLETIN) This was in reaction to the NBI's investigation of Sotto's alleged violation of Republic Act No. 11469, the Bayanihan To Heal As One Act, for “for disobeying national government policies or directives in imposing quarantines.” "We complied with all directives. Hindi po illegal magbigay ng opinyon. At alam kaya nila na March 24 naging batas ang Bayanihan Act?" Sotto wrote in a Twitter post. (It is not illegal to give an opinion. And do they know that the Bayanihan Act was passed into law on March 24?) On March 17, Sotto temporarily allowed the operation of tricycles with limited passengers since the free rides of the local government would not be enough to ferry health workers as well those working in essential services. Sotto said that based on the city government's risk assessment, they could not completely ban tricycles at that point in time. On March 18, Sotto posted on his Facebook about bus services for health workers as well as those who are exempted from movement during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). During that time, Sotto wrote in a post that he prays tricycles would be allowed to continue to operate, as their suspension would compromise the public health situation. He said residents who need immediate medical attention, as well as cancer, kidney dialysis, and COVID-19 patients, would be forced to walk five kilometers or so, and tricycles would be big help to them. On March 19, Sotto said he would comply with the directive of the national government and suspend the tricycle operations during the ECQ. His suggestion that they be allowed to operate was rejected by the Palace itself. “We are not arguing with them, we just expressed our opinion based on our analysis and experience on the ground,” Sotto said. Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra explained Wednesday that offenses committed prior the signing of a law cannot be penalized. “Penal provisions of any law are not applied retroactively unless the offense is a continuing one and its commission has not been stopped,” Guevarra said.