SENATE HITS CURFEW IMPOSITION
"We will not tolerate this blatant violation of the people's rights"--KIKO

In a bid to prevent further violations to the Constitution, 14 senators yesterday signed a resolution condemning authorities for imposing curfew following the Manila Peninsula siege, and calling for an inquiry in aid of legislation to help craft remedial legislation on the issue.

"The curfew was also openly violative of the fundamental rights of the people under the Freedom Constitution's Bill of Rights. We cannot tolerate this blatant disregard to the Constitution and the rule of law. The Senate as an institution will exercise its power to conduct hearings in aid of legislation to prevent a repeat of this incident. Hindi pwedeng palampasin lang ito dahil tapos na at nangyari na. If we turn another blind eye to this, we might wake up with more serious violations to our liberties," Senate Majority Leader and Independent senator Kiko Pangilinan, who initiated the resolution, said.

Senate Resolution 233 or the Resolution Expressing the Sense of the Senate that the Curfew Imposed from 12 Midnight until 5 in the Morning of November 30, 2007 is without Legal and Constitutional Basis and that the Appropriate Committee is being Directed to Conduct an Investigation in Aid of Legislation to Provide Remedial Legislation to Prevent the Repeat of this Violation of the Constitution was also signed by Senate President Manny Villar and senators Jinggoy Estrada, Nene Pimentel, Rodolfo Biazon, Noynoy Aquino, Alan Peter Cayetano, Chiz Escudero, Richard Gordon, Gringo Honasan, Mar Roxas, Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda and Jamby Madrigal.

"The imposition of curfew has no legal basis. The police power of the state, which was cited by DILG Secretary Puno to justify the act, is generally exercised by the Legislature. This power can only be used by the Executive through a valid delegated legislative authority. This power cannot be used out of convenience. It cannot be used for anybody's interest but the people's," Kiko said