Drilon: Arrests no longer allowed as Bayanihan Act lapses

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon stated that law enforcers can no longer arrest individuals under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act as the law has officially lapsed.

Drilon emphasized that arrests for alleged fake news, curfew violations, or prohibitions against mass gatherings are no longer permissible.

Congress failed to approve the proposed "Bayanihan 2" or Bayanihan to Recover As One Act before adjourning, which was intended to replace the expired law.

The Senate passed its version of Bayanihan 2 on second reading but it did not reach third reading because President Duterte did not certify it as urgent.

Drilon had previously called for the removal of punitive provisions in the original Bayanihan Act due to reported abuses and inequitable implementation.

Despite the lapse of the Bayanihan Act, Drilon noted that the government can still implement measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 and revive the economy.

He commented that Malacañang seemed uninterested in pushing for Bayanihan 2, as evidenced by their failure to certify it as urgent.

Drilon reiterated that the expiration of the Bayanihan Act signifies the end of the emergency powers granted under the Constitution.