Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 24) — Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel on Monday said some groups are already in touch with him for the possible filing of a petition against the controversial Maharlika Investment Fund Act.
“Meron na sa ‘kin. Isa, dalawa, (groups) and then may lawyers. I’m sure meron nang magku-question diyan,” Pimentel told reporters after the opening of the Senate’s second regular session of the 19th Congress.
[Translation: There are one, two groups and then lawyers who reached out to me. I’m sure someone will question it already.]
Earlier, Kristina Conti, secretary general of National Union of Peoples Lawyers, said the group, along with the Makabayan bloc, are looking into actions they can take following the signing of the Maharlika Investment Fund law.
Their next step includes possibly filing a constitutionality case before the Supreme Court, she said. They are also reaching out to other groups and experts who are also opposing the measure, she added.
Pimentel said he is willing to join the groups as co-petitioner or adviser. Other details about the plan, including the date of filing, are still being finalized, he noted.
He said that one of the arguments to be included in the petition is the alleged amending of the measure after it was passed by Congress.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri has denied allegations of tampering with the law, specifically the provision on the prescription period for violation of the measure.
He has shrugged off the plans of some groups to challenge the Maharlika fund, saying the Senate’s transcript of records can prove what really transpired when the law was being deliberated. He added that it was an honest mistake by the secretariat and that there were no malicious intentions to amend the law.
Speaking to CNN Philippines, political analyst Tony La Viña said the law was a “mistaken priority” and that this can be vehicle of corruption so the public should be vigilant about it.
