Sotto: 2 US senators’ proposal to ban entry of PHL gov’t officials a violation of US Constitution

(Eagle News)–The proposal to ban the entry to the United States of Philippine government officials allegedly behind the detention of Senator Leila de Lima is a violation of the US Constitution.

This is according to Senate President Tito Sotto, who slammed US Senators Richard Durbin and Patrick Leahy, who were reportedly behind the amendment to the Fiscal Year 2020 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill that seeks the travel ban.

“Article 1, section 9 (paragraph) 3 of (the) US (Constitution) is being violated by the 2 US senators. It’s called Bill of Attainder,” Sotto said in a Tweet.

Sotto urged the two senators to study the US Constitution, noting “mahihina ang mga staff ng mga ito.”

“Embarrassing,” Sotto said.

The Palace has already slammed the US Senate panel move, with Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo saying the move was a “brazen attempt to intrude into our country’s domestic legal processes” and an “insult” to the competence and capacity of Philippine authorities.

The Palace said, however, that the Philippines will not do any “repulsive action to reverse” the panel decision, saying it respects the democratic processes in the US.

The Philippines ” shall leave it to the international community to ascertain which nation values the rule of law in accordance with the principle of state sovereignty,” it said.