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.
鈥淚ncumbent officials should be careful when talking about the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. Very peculiar history since the 70s,鈥� he said.
鈥淭he safeguards of the 1987 Constitution on the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus are there because of (officials鈥�) abuse/misuse decades ago,鈥� the senator added.
Asked who he was referring to in his Twitter post, Angara听 pointed to the President and his Cabinet, who he said he said have been discussing it lately.
鈥淗opefully, it is just an idea because it can be abused,鈥� he said.
Asked again how public discussion of the issue could affect the public, the senator said: 鈥淣inerbyos ang iba.鈥�
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.
鈥淚f lawlessness becomes widespread, I might be forced to鈥擨 don鈥檛 want to do it, I don鈥檛 want to. It鈥檚 just my warning to them. I don鈥檛 want it because it鈥檚 not good,鈥� the President said.
鈥淏ut 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,鈥� 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 鈥渏ust an idea that was floated鈥� by the President./rga
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READ: Suspension of writ of habeas corpus just an idea鈥揚alace