The Kapisanan ng Social Media Broadcasters ng Pilipinas Inc. (KSMBPI) on Thursday said the mandatory use of face masks among the elderly and those immunocompromised individuals in indoor places and public utility vehicles is a violation of the Bill of Rights.
At the coffee forum Kapihan sa Manila Hotel, KSMBPI founding chairman Dr. Michael Raymond Aragon invoked Article 3, Section 1 of the Bill of Rights which stipulates that “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws.”
He clarified however, that he is a pro- face mask advocate, and that he would never oppose the use of a face mask against COVID-19.
“It just so happened that both Congress and the Senate must pass a new law for such purpose for the President to sign it. We want to put everything in its right perspective,” he said.
He said Congress gave the Duterte administration a limited power to declare a public health emergency that had already lapsed.
He cited Dr. Benito Atienza, Philippine Federation of Professional Association vice president and ex-Philippine Medical Association, and Dr. Leo Olarte, Clean Air Philippine Movement Inc. lawyer-president, who both backed the rule to wear a face mask.
The group said Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama lauded the national government’s decision to make the use of face masks voluntary or optional outdoors for economic recovery.