The planned Independence Day protests against the Anti-Terrorism Bill are within the rights enshrined in the Philippine Constitution, though participants should be mindful of the protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Thursday.
Lacson, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, noted the Bill of Rights in the Constitution includes the rights to freedom of speech and of expression, and to peaceably assemble and seek redress of grievances.
“Thus, the plan of those opposing the Anti-Terrorism Bill to hold protests on Independence Day – regardless of whether they have read and understood the bill – is their basic right, guaranteed under the Bill of Rights,” he said in a statement.
“Such basic rights shall remain guaranteed even if and when the Anti-Terrorism Bill is signed into law by the President and becomes effective,” he added.
Some groups are expected to hold rallies and protest actions on Friday, Independence Day, against the anti-terror bill.
The bill has been transmitted to Malacanang, and President Rodrigo Duterte can opt to sign it into law, veto it, or allow it to lapse into law after 30 days.
Under the Bill of Rights in the 1987 Constitution, Lacson noted, “no law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”
On the other hand, Lacson reminded participants to be mindful of the protocols in relation to the COVID pandemic.
“Having said that, they should only be conscious and mindful of the existing protocols in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)
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