By Martin Sadongdong  Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday hit back at critics of the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 that will strengthen the government's capability to respond against terrorism, saying their fears of potential abuse "have no basis." Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (Office of the Secretary of National Defense / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) Speaking in a Laging Handa press briefing, Lorenzana reiterated that the public has nothing to worry about since safeguards were put in place in the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. "Binasa ko 'yung panukalang batas, 'yung karapatan ng tao ay may sapat na provisions at yung law enforcement agencies ay may sapat na kaparusahan sa nag-abuso (I read the proposed law, and the rights of the people have sufficient provisions and there are sufficient punishment for law enforcement agencies which will abuse it)," he said. "Wala namang basehan 'yung kanilang opposition (Their opposition has no basis)," he added, reffering to individuals and groups who are against the bill. Lorenzana said the bill is awaiting certification as "urgent" by President Duterte. "Not yet Nasa Malacanang pa (It is still in Malacanang)," he told reporters. Lorenzana expressed optimism that it will be prioritized by the President so that it can be passed before Congress goes on recess on Friday, June 5. "I correct myself, it is not signed yet but the Palace intends to have it certified by the President," he said. A group of human rights advocates alerted the global community of an "all-out escalation" of potential rights abuses in the Philippines with Congress' "fast-tracking" the anti-terrorism bill. The International Coalition of Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) said that it was appalled how the government "prioritizes" the passage of the "repressive" bill but "remained bungling" in addressing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Over the weekend, the House Committees on Public Order and Safety and on National Defense and Security adopted the Senate version of the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (Senate Bill 1083) to repeal the Human Security Act of 2007. The bill will then be subjected to plenary debates. Among the notable amendments to the new bill include an expanded definition of "terrorist acts," an extended amount of time a suspected terrorist can be detained after a warrantless arrest, the removal of the P500,000 fine for law enforcers who detained a suspect acquitted of terrorism, and the prolonged period that an individual's communications be put under surveillance. Lawmakers who opposed the bill, including Senators Francis Pangilinan and Risa Hontiveros, and Representatives Jose Christopher "Kit" Belmonte and Carlos Zarate, were worried that it may be used to "silence" individuals who express dissent against the government. (Martin A. Sadongdong)