Restriction for senior citizens under GCQ needs review -IBP head

Published April 30, 2020 11:02 AM By JOVILAND RITA,GMA News

The restriction on senior citizens to go out during the general community quarantine (GCQ) should be reviewed, the head of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) said Thursday.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, IBP President Atty. Domingo Egon Cayosa said the review should cover the concerns aired about the restriction, which will be imposed amid the COVID-19 crisis.

“Magandang napapaabot ito sa gobyerno para may pagkakataong i-adjust nila 'yung kanilang regulation. 'Yung mga datos i-review din nila,” Cayosa said.

Some lawmakers from the House of Representatives have appealed to the government

to reconsider its move to ban senior citizens from going outside their homes under the GCQ.

“Malinaw din sa ating Constitution in exceptional cases, 'yung poder ng gobyerno, 'yung police power na maaaring limitahan ang ating individual rights for the good of the public,” Cayosa said.

“Kaya lang, meron ding komisyon sa ating constitution na dapat equal protection of the laws. Ibig sabihin, kung ano ang batas para sa isa, ganun din para sa pangkalahatan,” he added.

Cayosa said the implementation of the restriction for senior citizens may vary based on some classifications that are linked to the purpose of the law.

"Maaari ring sa loob ng Constitution, magkaroon ng classification... ‘Yung pagkakaiba na ‘yan related sa purpose ng batas. Maaaring magkakaiba ang trato,” he said.

According to GCQ guidelines issued by Malacañang, persons 20 years and below and 60 years old and above, as well as those with health risk factors, must stay at home. --KBK, GMA News

View on GMA News