Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 25) — The executive branch was aware of minor errors in the enrolled version of the Maharlika Investment Fund Act before it was signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcs Jr., Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said on Tuesday.
“We were made aware only of some minor syntax problems…but those are very minor,” he told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
Marcos signed the controversial law creating the country’s sovereign wealth fund on July 18.
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers said it is working with the Makabayan bloc and other groups and experts to look into steps they can take following the signing of the measure.
According to NUPL Metro Manila secretary general Kristina Conti, one of their arguments will be regarding the law’s approval procedure in relation to the alleged amending of some parts of the law after it was approved by Congress.
One possible action the group can take is filing a constitutionality case before the Supreme Court.
“We are not yet sure what questions will be raised against this [law] to attack its constitutionality, but we are very confident that with two branches of government putting their heads together on this legislation, the Supreme Court will see through and approve,” Bersamin said.
Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel has expressed willingness to join the groups as co-petitioner or adviser.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri denied the law was tampered, specifically the differing provisions on the prescription period for violation of the measure. He also shrugged off the plan of some groups to question the newly signed law.
He explained that it was an honest mistake by the secretariat which overlooked deleting the 20 years to replace the original 10-year period. The amendment was recommended by Senator Risa Hontiveros, but it was rejected by the bill’s author Senator Mark Villar.
