House anti-terror bill sows fear
MEMBERS of the Makabayan bloc at the House of Representatives called on their colleagues who voted for the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 to reconsider their decision.
House Bill 6875, “An Act to Prevent, Prohibit And Penalize Terrorism,” was passed on third and final reading on Wednesday, with 168 legislators voting in the affirmative and 36 in the negative, and 29 abstaining. It seeks to repeal Republic Act 9372 or the “Human Security Act of 2007” to expand the definition of terrorist acts and to ease restrictions on law enforcement in prosecuting suspects.
Makabayan lawmakers hoped their colleagues would stand against the measure that they believed would give President Rodrigo Duterte unprecedented powers to “suppress dissent, silence critics and activists, and curtail the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens” on the pretext of fighting terrorism.
Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said lawmakers who voted “yes” could still register a “no” vote at the plenary before Congress adjourns sine die on Friday.
Muntinlupa Rep. Rozzano Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon withdrew authorship and voted “no” after defending the bill on Tuesday.
The lawmaker said he had a change of heart because the measure was a mere adoption of the Senate version.
“We understand that they went through the same process that we undergo but the ability of each member of the House to put in their own work into the crafting of a legislation is something that I hold dear as a matter of principle,” he said.
Other lawmakers lamented the “fast-tracking” of the bill. Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, who voted “no,” and Lanao Del Norte Rep. Khalid Dimaporo, who abstained, lamented the swift passage of the bill.
“We were not allowed to ask clarificatory questions so I could not, in good conscience, vote yes for House Bill 6785,” Dimaporo said.
Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman decried the lack of consultation while Anak Mindanao party-list Rep. Amihilda Sangcopan voted “no” to the bill, saying it would “cause the unimaginable sufferings of individuals, groups, communities and ethnic groups out of sheer “terrorist” tagging.”
Quezon City Rep. Jesus “Bong” Suntay and Magsasaka party-list Rep. Argel Cabatbat on Tuesday proposed amendments but were rejected.
Surigao Del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, who voted “yes” being an author of the original law, had reservations, saying the bill was almost fully amended and that essential safeguards have been removed. He changed his vote to “no.”
“I believe that we should stand up for the House, and because of this, my vote is no to the bill and my name could not be attached to a bill that is not my real work. So my withdrawal as author of the measure is another thing that I would like to present to the House,” he said.
Malacañang on Thursday maintained the measure was not railroaded.