Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon raised concerns over the Philippine National Police for allegedly bypassing standard booking protocols when Vice President Sara Duterte posted bail at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court following the issuance of an arrest warrant for grave threats.
Ridon, a member of the prosecution panel, argued that skipping mandatory procedures undermines equal protection under the law.
”The [PNP] waived its ordinary booking procedures in the case of Vice President Sara Duterte. It is clearly a case of special treatment that does not speak well of the rule of law and the equality of persons before the law,” he said.
To highlight the disparity, the lawmaker referenced the handling of Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who underwent full processing despite surrendering directly to the Sandiganbayan.
”Senator Rodante Marcoleta, even if he surrendered directly to the Sandiganbayan was still subjected to the mandatory and standard criminal booking process, including the taking of a booking photograph or a mugshot,” he recalled.
”Kapag ordinaryong akusado ang sumasailalim sa booking process, may mugshot. Pero kapag Pangalawang Pangulo ang akusado, biglang walang mugshot,” Ridon said.
Ridon urged law enforcement agencies to explain the legal justification for skipping the procedure, warning that failing to do so confirms preferential handling.
”Kung may legal na batayan para sa exemption, ipaliwanag nila. Kung wala, special treatment iyan.”
He emphasized that judicial and police procedures must remain consistent for all individuals, regardless of political standing.
”Hindi ganyan ang itsura ng pantay na pagpapatupad ng batas. Pareho dapat ang proseso para sa lahat—ordinaryong mamamayan man o Pangalawang Pangulo.”
”Dapat pantay ang pagtrato ng batas sa lahat ng mga akusado: ordinaryong tao, Senador o Pangalawang Pangulo. No special treatment,” he further said.