By Jeffrey Damicog The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday, June 8, has assured that it will expedite its review of the Anti-Terrorism bill. Department of Justice (MANILA BULLETIN) “We hope to expedite as well yung aming opinion on this proposed legislation precisely because we understand the President has certified the bill as urgent,” said DOJ Undersecretary Markk Perete during the Laging Handa briefing. Once a bill has been approved by Congress, the DOJ spokesman explained “the President would ask the agencies involved to comment on the proposed legislation.” However, Perete did not give a definite time as to when the DOJ will finish its review. The DOJ has already proceeded with the review even though Congress has yet to submit the proposed measure as an enrolled bill before the Office of the President. The proposed measure is expected to be submitted as an enrolled bill to Malacanang on Monday, June 8. “One of the provisions of the law which says that hindi niya in essence pinipigalan yung dissent, yung opposition, yung criticism against the government (One of the provisions, in essence, states that it does not stop dissent, opposition and criticisms against the government,” he cited. “That I think should calm yung concerns of certain quarters over the possible abuses diumano na possibleng ma-commit using the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (That should calm concerns of certain quarters over possible abuses that could be committed using the proposed law),” Perete said. Also, he noted that “it would seem marami yung hinahanap niyang elements (requires many elements) before a specific act could be considered as a terrorist act or an act that is covered by the Anti-Terrorism proposed law.”