NEW TERROR BILL GOOD AS PASSED
SENATE President Vicente Sotto 3rd on Tuesday said the anti-terror bill was “as good as passed” because President Duterte had certified its passage as urgent.
The House of Representatives (HoR) adopted the Senate’s version of the bill last week.
Voting 19-2, the Senate in February passed on
third and final reading Senate Bill (SB) 1083, which repealed the Human Security Act of 2007 to give the law “more teeth.”
Asked about the likelihood of Congress passing the measure before it adjourns sine die on June 4, Sotto said, “Yes, it’s as good as passed.”
“It will just need my signature if it comes back to us after ratification; then, I will transmit it to the President,” Sotto said in a text message.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson, sponsor of the bill, stressed that it contains enough safeguards to protect human rights amid concerns raised by civil rights groups.
“As a responsible member of the community of nations, we are duty- bound to improve upon our laws towards ensuring we are able to implement United Nations Security Council Resolutions, meet international standards, and fulfill state obligations with the UN while putting in place safeguards against possible abuse,” he said.
Lacson said the concerns being raised by progressive and leftist groups as well as human rights advocates had been “adequately addressed” during the Committee on National Defense and Security public hearings.
“Enough safeguards are in place. The critics should read first the bill itself to see for themselves what I am saying,” said the chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security. Sotto agreed.
“I suggest they read the bill first before reacting. Terrorists or their supporters are the only ones who will be afraid of the bill,” he said.
Senators Francis Pangilinan and Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros voted against the passage of the anti-terror bill.
“I believe it is open to abuse. This is one compelling reason why I voted against it,” Pangilinan said in a text message.
Malacañang on Tuesday said the bill had no “draconian” provisions.
“Walanamanpong draconian na provision d’yan,lahatpong pro bis yo nd’ ya nib in as ed in po na tin sa bat asng mg ai ba’ ti bang bans ana masepek ti bo po an gk a ni lang pa gt ra to( There is no draconian provision there. All of those provisions are based on laws of other countries that are effective in combating terrorists),” Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said in a virtual press briefing.
“Meronpotayong three volume books napinablishng Cambridge na ki nu ku mp ar a an gm ga anti-terrorism lawssa bu on gm undo at is a pot ala ga sap in aka ma lu wag na bat a sang bat as nat ind it os a Pi lip inas,‘yungHu man Security Act (There are three volume books published by Cambridge comparing the anti-terrorism laws of countries worldwide and one of the most lenient laws is the Philippines’ Human Security Act),” he added.
Roque, a lawyer, said the bill was patterned after anti-terrorism laws of the United Kingdom, United States and Australia.
On Monday, Duterte called for the urgent passage of the bill to “address the urgent need to strengthen the law on anti-terrorism in order to inadequately and effectively contain the menace of terrorist acts for the preservation of national security and the promotion of general welfare.”
Various groups and rights advocates, however, have raised concerns against the measure, citing amendments that they said authorize violations of basic human rights.
The measure repeals the Human Security Act of 2007 by giving more surveillance powers to the military and police.
It imposes 12 years of jail time on any person who commits any act of terrorism, propose any such acts or incite others to commit terrorism.
Life imprisonment may also be imposed on those who will facilitate terrorist acts or recruit people to terror groups.
The bill also allows surveillance activities such as tracking down individuals or organizations, wire-tapping and recording of discussions and other communications of individuals supposedly engaged in terrorism.