Basahin nyo pag may time: Enough safeguards in anti-terrorism bill, Ping assures critics

There are enough safeguards in place in the Anti-Terrorism Bill against possible abuses, Sen. Panfilo Lacson maintained Tuesday.

Lacson, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, said concerns of critics had been addressed in committee hearings, as well as interpellations and debates on the floor.

“Enough safeguards are in place. The critics – some of whom had been extended the opportunity to help craft the bill – should read first the bill itself to see for themselves what I am saying,” he said in a statement.

“The concerns being raised by the progressive and leftist groups as well as human rights advocates have been adequately addressed during the Committee on National Defense and Security public hearings, as well as the debates and interpellations in plenary,” he added.

Lacson also pointed out the Philippines, as a responsible member of the community of nations, is “duty-bound to improve upon our laws towards ensuring we are able to implement United Nations Security Council Resolutions, meet international standards, and fulfill state obligations with the UN – while putting in place safeguards against possible abuse.”

Earlier this week, President Rodrigo Duterte certified the bill as urgent. Over the weekend, two panels in the House of Representatives adopted the Senate version of the bill.

Lacson noted that once the House approves the adopted Senate version of the Anti-Terror bill on third and final reading, it will then transmit it to the Senate for enrollment and subsequent submission to the President.

He added that since it is a certified urgent measure, the three-day rule restriction as required under the Constitution is lifted.

“That gives the bill a chance to be enacted into law within 30 days unless vetoed by the President, which is very unlikely considering the certification that he issued,” he said.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)