Sen. Ralph Recto is seeking the establishment of a separate police force for Congress to strengthen its independence and the lawmakers’ powers to subpoena and arrest individuals in aid of legislation.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto has filed Senate Bill 1051 seeking to create a “Congressional Police Force” that would be tasked to maintain peace and order, safety, and security in the Senate and the House of Representatives, and perform tasks essential for Congress to carry out its legislative mandates.
Recto said having a congressional police force would make the Congress independent from the Executive department.
While the Senate and the House have their own sergeant-at-arms, Recto said they depend on the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and other law enforcement agencies for their safety.
“In more than one occasion, Congress has had to rely on the military and police officers to perform functions essential to legislation, such as serving subpoenas, contempt orders, and warrants of arrest,” Recto explained in his bill.
“Such dependence on the Executive agencies, while legally sanctioned, nonetheless impairs the independence of the Legislature and its capacity to establish its own security and operational protocols within its own premises,” he added.
Under SB No. 1051, the Congressional Police Force will be the primary law enforcement agency concerned with the security of Congress and shall be mandated to safeguard members and officials, as well as the employees and guests, on congressional premises.
The congressional policemen shall also assist lawmakers and officials in serving subpoenas and warrants and implementing arrests.
The Congressional Police Force will initially be comprised of employees under the Office of Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate and the House.
It will be headed by a chief and two deputy chiefs who will be appointed jointly by the Senate President and the House Speaker.
Congressional police applicants must not be less than 21-years-old and not more than 30 years of age.
A Congressional Police Board shall be created to exercise administrative control and operational supervision over the Congressional Police Force. It shall advise the House Speaker and the Senate President on matters involving the security of members and officials of Congress.
The board shall be composed of three commissioners who are sergeant-at-arms of the House of Representatives, sergeant-at-arms of the Senate, and the chief of the Congressional Police Force.
A similar bill was filed by Recto’s wife, Batangas Rep. and House Deputy Speaker Vilma Santos-Recto and is also being pushed in the House. (Vanne Terrazola)
