Madrigal files command responsibility bill, wants end to finger-pointing

Senator Jamby Madrigal on Monday filed a "landmark bill" that seeks to punish ranking government and military officials for crimes or offenses committed by their subordinates under the principle of command responsibility.

Senate Bill No. 1427 is in answer to the two-day summit last month (July 16-17) by the Supreme Court that called for legislation on extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.

"The Supreme Court itself has called on us to act. I ask my colleagues in the Senate to make this a priority bill. This will put an end to finger-pointing. Tamaan ang nararapat na tamaan at panagutin ang dapat managot. Superior officials must be answerable for the acts of their subordinates," said Senator Madrigal.

"Under this bill, even the President may be held liable as Commander-in-Chief. I am sure that any President with the purest of intentions would want this bill passed and enacted into law if they have nothing to fear and nothing to hide," the Senator further emphasized.

If passed into law, the bill shall be known as the "Command Responsibility Act of 2007." It also applies to all government officials and their subordinates in the executive, legislative and judicial branches and all their agencies and instrumentalities as well as all Constitutional Commissions and the military and police establishment.

"High-ranking government and military officials must be called to account for their acts, especially murders of political activists and journalists in their jurisdictions, instead of hiding behind the cloak of due process to avoid criminal responsibility," noted the Senator who has been personally helping the families of victims of political killings and disappearances.

Penalties for offenses under the bill range from a maximum prison sentence not to exceed 30 years or life imprisonment in extreme cases. An accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding public office is also provided.