DPP Criticizes Opposition's Legal Amendments as 'Tailored for Individuals'; Opposition Counters they are 'Constitutional'

(CNA, Taipei) Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) spokesman Li Kun-cheng criticized on the 12th that several recent legislative amendments pushed by the blue-white camp (KMT and TPP), including revisions to the Election and Recall Act and the Code of Criminal Procedure, are suspected of being 'tailored for individuals' in an attempt to absolve specific cases. He questioned that these amendments would turn legislative power into a tool for handling the legal consequences of individual cases, severely undermining the spirit of judicial rule of law.

The Taiwan People's Party (TPP) legislative caucus stated today that the current provisions of the Election and Recall Act clearly violate the people's freedom to run for office and the principle of proportionality in legal restrictions, as guaranteed by the Constitution. Therefore, a legislative direction that restores the right to run for office for those whom a judge deems eligible for 'probation'—representing first-time or minor offenders—as well as those eligible for lighter sentences like community service or fines, is 'absolutely reasonable, legal, and constitutional.'

Kuomintang (KMT) legislative caucus convener Fu Kun-chi said in an interview that the Constitution of the Republic of China guarantees the people's freedom to participate in politics and the related principle of proportionality. He stated this must be strictly adhered to, and no ruling party can arbitrarily deprive people of their right to political participation, which he believes is a bottom line to be upheld.

Fu pointed out that by upholding the freedom of political participation guaranteed by the Constitution, Taiwan's democracy, freedom, and diversity have been able to develop to this day. Therefore, he argued, there can be no turning back to a 'rule by man' to decide who can and cannot run for election. Everything must return to the principle of due proportionality, and this must be made very clear to the public.

In response to the controversy over several amendments recently pushed by the KMT and TPP, DPP spokesman Li Kun-cheng issued a press release in the afternoon. He stated that the blue-white camp had previously forced through a session extension under the pretext of 'carefully reviewing the general budget,' but the budget has yet to be reviewed. Instead, they continue to push highly controversial bills, attempting to turn legislative power into a tool to absolve specific individuals and shield their own people from justice.

Li noted that the Judiciary and Organic Laws and Statutes Committee on the 11th reviewed a draft amendment to the 'Code of Criminal Procedure' proposed by KMT legislator Weng Hsiao-ling and jointly pushed by the blue-white camp, which significantly shortens detention periods. He believes this move will severely compress the time available for prosecutors and police to investigate major cases, impacting efforts to combat fraud, drugs, and organized crime. For cases involving accomplice structures, upstream and downstream organizations, and the risk of collusion and evidence tampering, it will greatly weaken the investigative capabilities of judicial authorities.

Li stated that the relevant proposal has already sparked strong backlash from the legal community and the prosecution system, and there are even differing opinions within the KMT. KMT legislator Wu Tsung-hsien recently stated publicly that if the amendment passes, it could lead to the complete collapse of Taiwan's criminal investigation system.

Li further pointed out that this is not the first time the blue-white camp has 'tailored laws for individuals.' The legislature recently passed a third reading of an amendment to Article 26 of the 'Public Officials Election and Recall Act,' relaxing restrictions on the eligibility of those sentenced to community service. This has been widely questioned by the public as the 'Ann Kao clause,' tailored for a specific individual.

He explained that Hsinchu Mayor Ann Kao was sentenced to six months in prison in the second instance of a case of false accusation. If the verdict is finalized and she is allowed to perform community service, she could legally face restrictions on her eligibility to run for office. However, the blue-white camp rushed to amend the law just before the election registration period, a timing that highly overlaps with the development of her case, raising questions about whether it is intended to clear electoral obstacles for a specific person.

He emphasized that while the legal system can be reviewed and amended in response to societal needs, it must not be reduced to a tool to serve specific individuals. He called on the blue-white camp to stop wasting the Legislative Yuan's time on absolving their own people, to quickly complete the review of the general budget, and to fulfill their duties as legislators.