THE incoming 19th Congress should review the rules used by lawmakers to charge witnesses with contempt and detain them without a court trial. This concern, of course, stems from the Senate's blue ribbon committee investigation of Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp., which allegedly overpriced items sold to the government during the pandemic. Before the Senate adjourned last week, it finally released the two Pharmally executives, who were kept in the Pasay City Jail for about six months.
Meanwhile in the Philippines, senators appropriated contempt powers and ordered some Pharmally executives to be detained without a trial or opportunity to defend themselves with legal representation. The senators accused the executives of being 'evasive,' perhaps forgetting that even the accused have rights, including the right against self-incrimination.
Most of all it is a sheer display of arrogance.
Let the Supreme Court decide that Senate abuse of power is unconstitutional.
It’s display of deprivation of these individuals their constitutional right, a blueprint of authoritarianism. I am so glad that people saw this and rightfully removed them from public office. The law should be modified so this doesn’t happen again.