Allies of President Rodrigo Duterte at the House of Representatives on Monday stressed he is immune from suit following Sen. Leila de Lima's Supreme Court petition for a writ of habeas data against the chief executive.
"I don't know if the Supreme Court (SC) will try to change a long-standing policy. It's been a long-standing policy that the president has immunity from suits," said Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano.
The Taguig lawmaker said she does not see "any reason to change that" rule on the president's immunity.
Like Cayetano, Cebu Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia said the decision whether to grant De Lima's plea should be left to the high tribunal.
"This is really a question that the SC should answer because as far as we know, as far as all the past administrations have been concerned, the president is immune from suit," Garcia said.
The Cebu congresswoman also reminded critics of Duterte that the option to file an impeachment complaint against the President is always available to them.
Garcia, however, said De Lima has every right to manifest her grievances through a complaint or a petition.
"Well everybody naman has that right. It's a constitutionally guaranteed right to sue," said Garcia.
"I think it should not be a matter of trying to make this a gender-sensitive issue because whoever would feel that they are being harassed or that they would need to take redress before the court, that is a constitutional right that can anybody can avail of, man or woman," she added.
De Lima said she decided to file the petition because of the attacks that Duterte has launched against her as a person and as a woman.
She said this was "the first of a series of legal offensives" she would file against Duterte. De Lima said the cases would stand as a test against Duterte's presidential immunity.
De Lima said the verbal attacks on her person are not covered by presidential immunity from suit because these are not the official acts of a President.
"I don't know if the Supreme Court (SC) will try to change a long-standing policy. It's been a long-standing policy that the president has immunity from suits," said Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano.
The Taguig lawmaker said she does not see "any reason to change that" rule on the president's immunity.
Like Cayetano, Cebu Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia said the decision whether to grant De Lima's plea should be left to the high tribunal.
"This is really a question that the SC should answer because as far as we know, as far as all the past administrations have been concerned, the president is immune from suit," Garcia said.
The Cebu congresswoman also reminded critics of Duterte that the option to file an impeachment complaint against the President is always available to them.
Garcia, however, said De Lima has every right to manifest her grievances through a complaint or a petition.
"Well everybody naman has that right. It's a constitutionally guaranteed right to sue," said Garcia.
"I think it should not be a matter of trying to make this a gender-sensitive issue because whoever would feel that they are being harassed or that they would need to take redress before the court, that is a constitutional right that can anybody can avail of, man or woman," she added.
De Lima said she decided to file the petition because of the attacks that Duterte has launched against her as a person and as a woman.
She said this was "the first of a series of legal offensives" she would file against Duterte. De Lima said the cases would stand as a test against Duterte's presidential immunity.
De Lima said the verbal attacks on her person are not covered by presidential immunity from suit because these are not the official acts of a President.
Source: gmanetwork
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