Public Attorneys Office (PAO) chief Persida Acosta said Monday the no vaccination, no ride policy implemented by the government starting today is unconstitutional and discriminatory.
“I think the policy of the LGUs is highly unconstitutional and against the law,” Acosta told ANC.
According to Republic Act 11525, vaccine cards “shall not be considered an additional mandatory requirement for educational, employment, and other similar government transaction purposes.”
“And yet they are circumventing. Lalabag nila ‘yung batas indirectly para mapiitan kang magpabakuna. You need magpabakuna para pasakayin ka. Ano ‘yun pinupwersa,” Acosta said.
(And yet they are circumventing. You will indirectly violate the law, so you will be forced to get vaccinated. You need to get vaccinated so you will be able to board. You are being forced.)
Last week, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade issued an order imposing the “no vaccination, no ride” policy while a COVID-19 Alert Level 3 level or higher in the National Capital Region (NCR).
The following are exempted from the “no vaccination, no ride”:
• Persons with medical conditions that prevent their full COVID-19 vaccination as shown by a duly-signed medical certificate with their doctor’s name and contact details.
• Persons who will buy essential goods and services, such as but not limited to food, water, medicine, medical devices, public utilities, energy, work, and medical and dental necessities, as shown by a duly issued barangay health pass or other proof to justify the travel.
No vaccination, no ride policy in NCR violates constitution – PAO’s Acosta
Despite these, Acosta maintained that the no vaccination, no ride policy is unconstitutional.
“That’s unconstitutional because the Bill of Rights, Section 1 states that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, and property without due process of law,” she said.
“You know you are discriminating against the unvaccinated and then you are just favoring the vaccinated. You let them ride and then the unvaccinated anong gagawin, maglalakad?” she added.
The PAO chief also cited the patient’s rights in the Department of Health portal.
“May karapatan ang pasyente na tumanggi sa bakuna at tumanggi sa ano mang medicine dahil ang katawang ito pagaari mo mismo, hindi pagaari ng gobyerno ang katawan mo,” she said.
(Patients have the right to refuse vaccines and medicine because they own their bodies, but the government does not own them.)
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