The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office (
Lo reportedly found the news hard to swallow. The prosecutors' decision may have really taken him by surprise. Wishfully thinking that he is invincible and can have his own way under Taiwan's protective umbrella for legislators, the conceited Lo never imagined that prosecutors would use the Anti-Hoodlum Law to deal with him. Does that mean Lo's good old days are coming to an end?
Lo and his lawmaker son are eager to use legislative immunity to strike back. Lo's son, Lo Ming-tsai (
Legislative Yuan speaker Wang Jin-pyng (
What matters is that Interpretation No. 435 by the Council of Grand Justices said that legislative immunity does not protect lawmakers' actions. The interpretation stressed that the judiciary may exercise its investigative powers when necessary in order to maintain social order and protect victims' rights. Therefore, it is constitutional for prosecutors to exercise their investigative powers on lawmakers. But the two Lo's may find it difficult to get their petition across the legal threshold (endorsement from one-third of the legislature). Even if they can, the Grand Justices may not accept their petition.
The elder Lo's wild behavior in the legislature and his lack of respect for the law should not be tolerated either in a lawmaking body or in Taiwan's society in general. Lawmakers and the public may be rejoicing the prosecutors' decision to designate Lo as a gangster. So far only 20-plus legislators have dared to risk nationwide condemnation by endorsing the younger Lo's signature drive.
Despite signing up for the drive, KMT caucus leader Lee Cheng-chong (
So, who and which political parties are protecting Lo Fu-chu in the legislature? Who are willing to extend "private help" to Lo? This signature drive may serve not only as evidence but also as the voter's best reference in the December legislative elections.
Chin Heng-wei is editor in chief of Contemporary Monthly magazine.
Translated by Jackie Lin
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