Manila, Feb. 18 -- Senator Loren Legarda on Wednesday pushed for the repeal of the treasure hunting law and the abolition of the existing permit system to strengthen safeguards for cultural and archaeological heritage.

Legarda filed Senate Bill No. 1860 seeking to repeal Presidential Decree No. 1726-A, which provides guidelines on treasure hunting, and to remove the treasure-hunting permit provision under Republic Act No. 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009.

The current framework, first introduced during Martial Law and later retained in the 2009 heritage law, enabled the excavation and removal of so-called "hidden treasures," for private gain and at the expense of scientific research and public interest, Legarda said. ...