Ako Bicol Solon Ask NBI to Focus Effort Vs PPE Hoarders and Price Violators

Photo: House of Representatives website

Ako Bicol partylist representative Atty Alfredo Garbin Jr. asks the National Bureau of Investigation to run after the hoarders of PPE and food supplies and those that manipulates prices of commodities. 

The challenge came after the NBI summoned Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on the possible infraction of Covid-19 Community Quarantine imposed by the National Government and the Bayanihan To Heal as One Act or the Republic Act 11469.

"We  are  calling  for the  National  Bureau  of Investigation to concentrate  its efforts in apprehending those who are guilty of profiteering from the COVID 19 Pandemic. Dapat agapang hulihin ang mga scammers at mga hoarders nang medical supplies at pagkain." Garbin said.

The Ako Bikol lawmaker added that the NBI and the Police should also arrest those who have violated and are violating the price control currently being imposed by the government.   

"Mas nararapat rin siguro na sabay sabay nating bulabugin ang customs kung bakit hindi nakakalabas  ang  mga  PPEs  at  pagkain  na  hangang  sa  ngayon  ay  nasa  daungan  ng sasakyan pandagat  parin  at  mga  warehouses  nila.  Nandiyan  ang  solusyon  upang mabigyan  natin  na paunang  lunas  ang  kulang  kulang  na  kagamitan  ng  ating  mga frontliners." the lawmaker said.

"Kailangang kailangan natin pag tuunan ng pansin ang kakulangan ng PPEs para sa ating mga doctor at nurses. Mas lalong kailangan natin pag tuunan nang pansin at atensyon na siguraduhing may food security tayo.  Ayusin natin ang supply chain. Unahin natin siguraduhin na may maihahain ang ating mga kababayan sa kanilang Hapag Kainan." Garbin asserted.

He said that from his understanding, the Pasig city mayor's only intention for utilising tricycle at the onset of community quarantine was for his constituents to go smoothly by amidst the hardship brought by the restriction.

"Our Constitution expressly prohibits ex post facto laws. This is clear in Section 22 of Article 3 of the Constitution. Sa madaling salita, Ang ex post facto laws ay mga batas kriminal na may  retroactive effect  o  batas  na  nagpapataw  nang  kaparusahan  sa  mga  nakaraang kaganapan o sa mga bagay na nagawa bago paman magkaroon ng batas na nasasaad na ito’y dapat parusahan o kaya ay isang aktong kriminal.' he explained. 

Garbin went further, "dapat tandaan na ang isa sa mga importanteng aspeto ng Batas Kriminal ay ang pagiging prospective nito.    Samakatuwid,  pinaparusahan  lamang  ang  mga  iligal  na  gawain sa panahon  na  may  karampatang  batas  na  nagpaparusa  dito.    Ang  aplikasyon  nito  ay paharap lamang hindi nito pinaparusahan ang nakaraan."#