Sotto: US Senate reso vs. De Lima persecutors violates US Constitution

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Thursday the resolution passed by the US Senate against the supposed persecutors of detained Senator Leila de Lima is a violation of the US Constitution.

Sotto also said US Senate Resolution 142 is an affront to the Philippine justice system.

“I'd like to think they are misinformed because it's an affront to our justice system,” he said in a message to reporters when sought for comment.

“It appears to be a violation of their Constitution [regarding] the Bill of Attainder,” he added.

The American Constitution prohibits a bill of attainder or any legislative act that imposed punishment on certain people without judicial trial.

The website of the US legislative branch stated that Senate Resolution 142, condemning the Philippine government for the continued detention of De Lima and calling for the dropping of charges against her and her immediate release, has been “agreed to in Senate with an amendment and an amended preamble with Voice Vote” on January 8.

The resolution calls on President Donald Trump to impose sanctions pursuant to the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act—such as revocation of US visas and freezing of assets—against Philippine officials and security forces "responsible for orchestrating the arrest and prolonged detention of" Senator Leila De Lima.  — MDM, GMA News