‘Govt can impose curfew even with expiration of Bayanihan law’

THE expiration of the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act did not affect the government’s authority or the power of local governments to enforce laws on curfew, mass gathering and the spread of fake news, chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo said.

“Contrary to Sen. Franklin Drilon’s comment, the expiration of the effectivity of the aforesaid law has not affected the state’s authority or the local government’s power to enforce the laws on curfew, mass gathering and the spread of fake news,” he said in a statement.

“Senator Drilon’s comments, with due respect to him, are not only misplaced but it dangerously encourages citizens to engage in acts detrimental to the safety and security of the populace, as well as the peace and order of the nation,” he added.

“We remind the good senator, as well as the public, that there are existing laws in place, such as Republic Act 11332, or the ‘Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act,’ and even Republic Act 10175, or the ‘Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012,’ which penalize violations thereof with a fine, imprisonment or both,” he continued.

The Palace official said there were ordinances that sanction transgressions of policies of local government units.

“The preservation of the safety and lives of the Filipino people is not a temporary emergency measure. It is a solemn duty of the government and those who act on its behalf, including Senator Drilon,” Panelo said. “Even before the enactment of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, the President (Rodrigo Duterte) has been swift and decisive in fulfilling his commitment to serve and protect our citizens. The expiration of the said act does not in any way affect that.”

Panelo noted that local governments also had ordinances on curfew.

“There are also ordinances that regulate rallies and demonstrations. Violation of such is likewise subject to arrest and prosecution,” he said.