784 governors, mayors endorse anti-terror bill approval

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 784 local chief executives have expressed support for the anti-terror bill, Malacañang announced yesterday.

Citing Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said 43 governors, 68 city mayors and 673 municipal mayors are backing the measure that seeks to strengthen the country’s law against terrorism.

The bill is awaiting President Duterte’s signature.

Duterte can either sign the measure, which he certified as urgent, into law, veto it or let it lapse into law 30 days after receipt without signing it.

In an interview over CNN Philippines yesterday, Roque said the President is “inclined” to sign the bill into law.

Roque said Duterte is waiting for the final version of the bill from one of the principal authors, Sen. Panfilo Lacson.

“He spoke and rhetorically said he was waiting for Sen. Lacson to finish his commas and his periods. But that was rhetorical because, of course, the bill is now on his desk. So let’s just say that he’s taking a final look at it but I think he is inclined to sign it,” Roque said.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said they would transmit today to the Office of the President the department’s comments on the anti-terror bill.

Guevarra said he believes that the inputs of the Department of Justice (DOJ) would be given consideration by President Duterte.

“I am confident that the President will consider not only the comments of the DOJ but also those of other government agencies whose comments were requested by the Office of the Executive Secretary,” Guevarra said.

Rights advocates said the DOJ should uphold people’s rights by recommending to the President to veto the bill.

In a letter to Guevarra, Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said the measure would “ultimately infringe on the people’s exercise of basic rights and fundamental freedoms.”

Lacson maintained that the bill aims to combat terrorism in a “swift, effective and constitutional” manner.

He made the statement in reaction to the misconceptions issued by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP).

In a letter-reply to IBP president Domingo Egon Cayosa, Lacson addressed the group’s concern about provisions of the measure that are subjected to wrongful interpretations.

“The bill speaks clear of the government’s policy against acts of terror and its perpetrators,” Lacson said.

He clarified that arrests cannot be made based on mere suspicion.

Anti-terror bill defended

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. welcomed yesterday the idea of questioning the constitutionality of the anti-terrorism bill before the Supreme Court (SC), assuring the public that the measure has enough safeguards against human rights violations. 

Esperon said constitutionalists and human rights advocates have all the right to bring the matter before the SC if and when President Duterte signs it into law.

According to Esperon, the government believes in the credibility of the high court and the magistrates.

Esperon said those questioning the measure should read it first, adding that Section 4 alone assures the protection of human rights as well as civil and political liberties.

“This is such a good law. It will help the law enforcers and will give security to our people,” he said.

Esperon said the bill is not targeting protesters or rallyists of cause-oriented groups as he himself was a protester when he was in high school.

He said some of the proponents of the measure have vast experience in law enforcement and legal matters.

Esperon expressed belief that the Anti-Terrorism Act will deter local terrorists in Mindanao. Evelyn Macairan, Michael Punongbayan, Rhodina Villanueva, Cecille Suerte Felipe