The Senate formally adopted a resolution led by Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano ensuring Filipinos are given reasonable time to seek redress from Philippine courts and avail themselves of legal remedies in foreign or international arrest cases.
Senate Resolution No. 307 was approved following the period of amendments during which Senate President Tito Sotto introduced revisions that were accepted by Cayetano as sponsor of the measure.
Cayetano agreed to refine the language of the resolution, including replacing the term “extraordinary rendition” with “extrajudicial rendition” to better reflect its intent to uphold due process and avoid the negative connotation associated with the former.
”The intention of everyone was to make sure of due process, to make sure our Constitution is followed.”
“Last week when we brought this up, the intention of everyone was to make sure of due process, to make sure our Constitution is followed. The good Senate President Pro Tempore (Ping Lacson) brought up the fact that if you search the word ‘extraordinary rendition,’ may negative connotation,” the veteran legislator said.
The seasoned lawmaker moved to apply the change in both the title and the resolutory portion of the measure in line with discussions on the floor.
The resolution passed with only three dissenting votes from Senators Risa Hontiveros, Kiko Pangilinan, and Bam Aquino.
“Access to local courts is a fundamental safeguard under the Constitution.”
Cayetano maintained that the proposal is prospective and applies to all Filipinos, emphasizing that access to local courts is a fundamental safeguard under the Constitution.
“The bottom line of this resolution is that, for whatever reason, every Filipino should be able to run to [a Philippine] Court before he is removed from the country,” he said.
“Ang point lang, before he is removed from this country, ma-address niya pa rin ‘yung sarili niya sa [sarili nating] korte,” Cayetano concluded.
