Senator Christopher “Bong” Go called on the government to ensure strict adherence to the Constitution and due process before any Filipino is surrendered to a foreign jurisdiction, as he manifested support for Senate Resolution No. 307, expressing the sense of the Senate to protect Filipinos against extraordinary rendition.
Rising in plenary on Tuesday, February 24, Go co-sponsored the measure, stating that its central principle is the constitutional guarantee that no Filipino should be deprived of liberty without due process of law.
“The very core of this resolution is a simple but powerful principle: no Filipino should be deprived of liberty without due process of law. This is not merely a legal or procedural technicality, but a constitutional guarantee enshrined in our fundamental law,” he said.
Underscoring that under the Constitution, every Filipino is protected against extraordinary rendition and guaranteed a reasonable time to seek redress from local courts, Go explained that the resolution is not intended to benefit any specific individual but reaffirms equality before the law.
“It is not a shield for the powerful, nor is it a refuge for the guilty. It is a reaffirmation that every Filipino, ordinary citizen or public official, karaniwang mamamayan man o nasa puwesto, stands equal before the law and under its protection,” Go added.
He further emphasized that the principle applies to any foreign entity, tribunal, or international body seeking jurisdiction over a Filipino citizen and not only to the current proceedings before the International Criminal Court or ICC.
Go reiterated that any transfer of a Filipino abroad for investigation or prosecution must first pass through constitutional and legal safeguards.
“Hindi lamang po ito nakapaloob sa proceedings ng ICC. The same standard must apply to any foreign tribunal or authority issuing orders that may result in the transfer of a Filipino to another country for investigation or prosecution. Before any Filipino is brought outside our jurisdiction and subjected to foreign processes, there must first be strict compliance with our Constitution, our laws, and the fundamental requirement of due process,” said Go.
“Bakit nating papayagan na manghimasok ang foreign tribunal without passing through local courts? Huwag naman po sana tayong pumayag ng ganun,” the senator added.
Go maintained that upholding due process does not weaken justice nor hinder international cooperation.
“I reiterate that this resolution does not obstruct justice. It strengthens it. It does not defy international cooperation. It ensures that such cooperation operates within constitutional bounds. The Philippines can honor its international obligations while still safeguarding the fundamental rights of its people,” he said.
He concluded by urging his colleagues to support the resolution in defense of constitutional protections.
“Sa mga kasamahan natin dito sa Senado, proteksyunan po natin ang ating mga institusyon, and I urge this Chamber to stand firm in defense of due process and to adopt this resolution in the name of constitutional fidelity and equal protection for all,” Go said.
