Lawyer Mel Sta. Maria reminded President Rodrigo Duterte that he does not have the power to order someone’s arrest because the power to do so solely rests on the judiciary branch, not the executive or legislative branch.
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“Sir, paalala lang po. Ang korte lamang po ang nakakapag-order ng arrest via a warrant of arrest. Hindi po kayo. Tinanggal na po sa konstitution ang kapangyarihan ng Presidente o executive department na mag-issue ng warrant,” Sta. Maria posted on Facebook.
“Natuto na po ang bayan sa ginawa ni Marcos nung period ng diktadurya na kung saan ang daming ASSO (Arrest Search Seizure Order) ang na-issue ng executive department at madaming nadakip na nawala at namatay,” he added.
He further reminded Duterte not to create a new law as if he was king because he isn’t.
“At hwag rin pong mag-iimbento ng batas. Masama rin po iyon. Lalong-lalo na po, hinding-hindi nyo dapat ipagpalagay na kayo ang batas, kasi hindi naman kayo hari,” Sta. Maria said.
“Ang pag-aresto po na walang basehan sa batas ay illegal arrest sa ilalim ng Revised Penal Code. Kahit po presidente ay hindi above the law,” he added.
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The lawyer also urged the President to follow the rule of law.
“Malinaw naman po ang Konstitution. Let us abide, sir ,by the RULE OF LAW. Masmabuti na po na bilang presidente, kayo ang example ng leader na sumusunod sa batas. Let us follow sir,” he said.
He cautioned Duterte not to keep threatening the citizens just like how a “despot” does.
“Masama kasi na nangtatakot ang isang lider sa mga mamamayan para sumunod sila sa batas, pero siya mismong lider ay hindi naman sumusunod sa batas at gumagawa pa ng krimen. Ang tawag po sa mga lider na iyan “despot,” Sta. Maria noted.
This was the lawyer’s reaction to President Duterte’s threat to have Ombudsman officials arrested if they would not cooperate in the probe that would be conducted by a commission that he would create to investigate the Office of the Ombudsman over allegations of corruption and partiality.
“Kung sabihin ninyo na hindi kami maimbestigahan ng independent body, magkaproblema tayo. Tignan mo,” Duterte said in his PTV interview on September 29.
“I will create a commission, if you do not—I will apply for summons sa court, if hindi ninyo iyan ma-implement, I will, I will arrest you, ‘pag hindi ka sumipot doon sa commission (na) iyon,” he added in his interview recorded on September 26 in Malacañang.
“’Pag hindi kayo sumipot, I will order the police and the military to arrest you.”
The Ombudsman, in reply, said that they are not intimidated by the President.
“Sorry, Mr. President, but this Office shall not be intimidated,” the Ombudsman said in a press statement.
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