Prof. Tony La Viña: Vagrancy laws as instruments of oppression

The doctrine of parens patriae invoked by  President Duterte, in ordering a campaign against ‘tambays’ (loiterers), is distorted, explains Lawyer Tony La Viña in a 5-point article carried in the Manila Standard column ‘Eagle Eyes.’ “The legal doctrine is not at all about the President being the father or parent of the  citizens. It is the State in its entirety that has this role,” he clarifies.

Professor La Viña, who teaches, Legal History and Legal Philosophy, points out that vagrancy has been decriminalized in the statute books and that historically anti-vagrancy laws have been feudal in nature.

“ ‘Tambay’ and a distorted parens patriae” can accessed in its entirety at : http://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/268985