Palace says 784 governors, mayors support 'stronger' anti-terror law
Published Jun 16, 2020 12:00 am
By Genalyn Kabiling
Around 784 local chief executives have expressed support for the approval of a stronger anti-terrorism law in the country, Malacañang announced Tuesday.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said 43 governors, 68 city mayors and 673 municipal mayors are among the supporters of the anti-terror bill based on a report from the Department of Interior and Local Government.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque
(OPS / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) He thanked them for rallying behind the measure seeking to fight terrorism in the country. "Sa anti-terror bill, inulat kahapon ni (Interior and Local Government) Secretary (Eduardo) Año na patuloy pong dumadami ang supporters lalung-lalo na sa hanay ng local government units (On anti-terror bill, Secretary Año reported the growing number of supporters among the ranks of local government units)," Roque said during a Palace press briefing Tuesday. "Sa ngayon po, mayroon ng 784 Local Chief Executives ang sumusuporta sa panukalang batas kabilang na po ang 43 governors, 68 city mayors at 673 municipal mayors. Salamat po sa suporta (At present, there are 784 local chief executives who support the proposed law including 43 governors, 68 city mayors and 673 municipal mayors. Thank you for the support)," he said. Roque earlier said President Duterte is inclined to sign into law the measure giving the government more teeth to combat terrorism as soon as the review is complete. The anti-terror bill, submitted by Congress, is apparently still being reviewed by the Office of the Executive Secretary, according to Roque. "Sinabi ng Presidente pagdating sa (anti-) terror bill, hinihintay lang niya si Senator (Panfilo) Lacson na i-finalize ang commas at periods niya (The President said about the anti-terror bill, he is waiting for Senator Lacson to finalize the commas and periods)," he said. Lacson is the proponent of the controversial anti-terrorism bill. "Ibig sabihin po, bagama’t nasa Malacañang na ang anti-terror bill, siguro po pinag-aaralan pa ng Office of the Executive Secretary ang sinumiteng panukalang batas dahil wala pa po mismo sa lamesa ng Presidente (It means, although the anti-terror bill has reached Malacanang, it is probably being reviewed by the Office of the Executive Secretary because it has not yet reached the President's desk)," he added. The anti-terror bill, which the President has certified as urgent, has drawn online and street protests due to concerns it may be prone to abuse and violate human rights. The Palace has repeatedly assured that safeguards are in place in the measure to prevent curtailment of civil liberties while fighting the threat of terrorism.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque(OPS / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) He thanked them for rallying behind the measure seeking to fight terrorism in the country. "Sa anti-terror bill, inulat kahapon ni (Interior and Local Government) Secretary (Eduardo) Año na patuloy pong dumadami ang supporters lalung-lalo na sa hanay ng local government units (On anti-terror bill, Secretary Año reported the growing number of supporters among the ranks of local government units)," Roque said during a Palace press briefing Tuesday. "Sa ngayon po, mayroon ng 784 Local Chief Executives ang sumusuporta sa panukalang batas kabilang na po ang 43 governors, 68 city mayors at 673 municipal mayors. Salamat po sa suporta (At present, there are 784 local chief executives who support the proposed law including 43 governors, 68 city mayors and 673 municipal mayors. Thank you for the support)," he said. Roque earlier said President Duterte is inclined to sign into law the measure giving the government more teeth to combat terrorism as soon as the review is complete. The anti-terror bill, submitted by Congress, is apparently still being reviewed by the Office of the Executive Secretary, according to Roque. "Sinabi ng Presidente pagdating sa (anti-) terror bill, hinihintay lang niya si Senator (Panfilo) Lacson na i-finalize ang commas at periods niya (The President said about the anti-terror bill, he is waiting for Senator Lacson to finalize the commas and periods)," he said. Lacson is the proponent of the controversial anti-terrorism bill. "Ibig sabihin po, bagama’t nasa Malacañang na ang anti-terror bill, siguro po pinag-aaralan pa ng Office of the Executive Secretary ang sinumiteng panukalang batas dahil wala pa po mismo sa lamesa ng Presidente (It means, although the anti-terror bill has reached Malacanang, it is probably being reviewed by the Office of the Executive Secretary because it has not yet reached the President's desk)," he added. The anti-terror bill, which the President has certified as urgent, has drawn online and street protests due to concerns it may be prone to abuse and violate human rights. The Palace has repeatedly assured that safeguards are in place in the measure to prevent curtailment of civil liberties while fighting the threat of terrorism.