Pasig City Mayor VIco Sotto fired back on the National Bureau of Investigation after the agency summoned him for allegedly violating the Bayanihan Act or the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine.
“They’re asking for an “explanation on the alleged violation of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (e.g. continuous tricycle operation)” Sotto said in a tweet.
The local leader added that he was just giving an opinion and could not be accused of violating the law because he already complied to the orders before it was signed.
“We complied with all directives. Hindi po illegal magbigay ng opinyon. at alam kaya nila na March 24 naging batas ang Bayanihan Act?” Sotto added.
NBI Spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin confirmed to reporters that Sotto is now being investigated for his supposed violation of the Bayanihan law section 4 (g) which mandates all local government units to comply with the national guidelines.
The NBI said that Sotto will be given an opportunity to explain his side why he should not be charged for violating the Bayanihan Act when he reportedly allowed tricycle drivers to operate despite a transportation ban during the quarantine.
Asked if RA 11469 has a retroactive effect? Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said that penal provisions of any law are not applied retroactively unless the offense is a continuing one and its commission has not been stopped.
