Duterte to assess anti-terror bill in terms of nation's 'best interest'
Published Jun 8, 2020 12:00 am
By Genalyn Kabiling
President Duterte will consider the country's best interest before deciding on whether to sign or veto the anti-terrorism bill passed by Congress, Malacañang assured the public Monday.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte
(TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) The controversial bill that aims to strengthen the government's arsenal against terrorism will undergo a thorough study by the President once it reaches his desk, according to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque. "The President is always guided by what is best for the country," he said during a televised briefing about the prospects of the anti-terror bill. Roque also noted that the President has the power to veto a bill passed by Congress, citing his decision to reject past measures due to some legal concerns or other issues. President Duterte recently certified as urgent House Bill No. 6875 to facilitate its swift passage in Congress. In his letter to Congress leaders, Duterte said the measure seeks "to address the urgent need to strengthen the law on anti-terrorism in order to adequately and effectively contain the menace of terrorist acts for the preservation of national security and the promotion of general welfare." Some groups, however, have opposed the passage of the anti-terror bill due to concerns it might lead to abuse and rights violations. Roque earlier said the urgent certification made by the President does not automatically mean he would sign the measure. He said the bill would be subject to the President’s review to ensure its compliance with the Constitution. Roque declined to comment on the bill's alleged unconstitutional provisions since he has yet to see the final version approved by lawmakers. He also said the Palace would leave it to lawmakers to decide if they want to pull out their support for the anti-terrorism bill. He noted though that when he was a lawmaker, withdrawal of a vote was not allowed under House rules. "For as long as the bill has been clearly approved, then we expect the bill to be transmitted to Malacañang," Roque said. "When we have a copy of enrolled bill then I can comment if there is doubtful constitutionality," he said. Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo has defended the government's move to seek a stronger anti-terrorism measure from critics and detractors. He said the state must have a law that can respond to the exigencies of the time and neutralize the terrorists’ agenda. "Critics say that the bill has broadened the term terrorism. Incorrect. It accurately defines it based on what the world has seen on the acts and stratagem the terrorists have used in unleashing their lethal force on their targets," he said. He also rejected critics' allegations the bill is intended against dissenters. "The proposed act specifically states that terrorism, as penalized thereby, does not include dissent. Neither is advocacy covered. Nor is protest. Industrial or mass action like stoppage of work, and other similar exercises of civil and political rights, like rally or demonstration, not intended to cause death or serious physical harm to a person, or endanger a person’s life, or create a serious risk to public safety, do not fall within the ambit of the anti-terrorism act," he said. On the proposed longer detention for terror suspects, Panelo said this was necessary due to the potential grave risk when the suspect is freed before being charged. "He could immediately join his fellow terrorists and execute their terror attacks or alert them of the impending moves of the government forces to neutralize them,” he said.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte(TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) The controversial bill that aims to strengthen the government's arsenal against terrorism will undergo a thorough study by the President once it reaches his desk, according to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque. "The President is always guided by what is best for the country," he said during a televised briefing about the prospects of the anti-terror bill. Roque also noted that the President has the power to veto a bill passed by Congress, citing his decision to reject past measures due to some legal concerns or other issues. President Duterte recently certified as urgent House Bill No. 6875 to facilitate its swift passage in Congress. In his letter to Congress leaders, Duterte said the measure seeks "to address the urgent need to strengthen the law on anti-terrorism in order to adequately and effectively contain the menace of terrorist acts for the preservation of national security and the promotion of general welfare." Some groups, however, have opposed the passage of the anti-terror bill due to concerns it might lead to abuse and rights violations. Roque earlier said the urgent certification made by the President does not automatically mean he would sign the measure. He said the bill would be subject to the President’s review to ensure its compliance with the Constitution. Roque declined to comment on the bill's alleged unconstitutional provisions since he has yet to see the final version approved by lawmakers. He also said the Palace would leave it to lawmakers to decide if they want to pull out their support for the anti-terrorism bill. He noted though that when he was a lawmaker, withdrawal of a vote was not allowed under House rules. "For as long as the bill has been clearly approved, then we expect the bill to be transmitted to Malacañang," Roque said. "When we have a copy of enrolled bill then I can comment if there is doubtful constitutionality," he said. Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo has defended the government's move to seek a stronger anti-terrorism measure from critics and detractors. He said the state must have a law that can respond to the exigencies of the time and neutralize the terrorists’ agenda. "Critics say that the bill has broadened the term terrorism. Incorrect. It accurately defines it based on what the world has seen on the acts and stratagem the terrorists have used in unleashing their lethal force on their targets," he said. He also rejected critics' allegations the bill is intended against dissenters. "The proposed act specifically states that terrorism, as penalized thereby, does not include dissent. Neither is advocacy covered. Nor is protest. Industrial or mass action like stoppage of work, and other similar exercises of civil and political rights, like rally or demonstration, not intended to cause death or serious physical harm to a person, or endanger a person’s life, or create a serious risk to public safety, do not fall within the ambit of the anti-terrorism act," he said. On the proposed longer detention for terror suspects, Panelo said this was necessary due to the potential grave risk when the suspect is freed before being charged. "He could immediately join his fellow terrorists and execute their terror attacks or alert them of the impending moves of the government forces to neutralize them,” he said.