Anti-Terror Bill: Salvador Panelo Ask Durterte To Sign Controversial Bill

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo Ask Durterte To Sign Anti-Terror Bill

ANTI-TERROR BILL – Chief Presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo asked President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to sign the Anti-terror bill.

Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte previously expressed his urgency in passing the Anti-terror bill. It has been days since the Senate forwarded it to the chief executive.

However, lots of people including celebrities, lawmakers, and groups raised their concerns about the bill that amends the 2007 Human Security Act. They said there is a possibility that the government might abuse their power or could suppress free speech.

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Photo Source: Manila Bulletin News

In a previous article, Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez took to her social media account to defend President Duterte’s Anti-Terror bill. She urged the critics to read the measure first because some areas in the country suffer from terrorist attacks.

Richard Gomez’s wife said the terrorist is “having more fun in the Philippines.” Critics should not rely on “second-hand opinions of others, who may have been influenced by those who twisted the interpretation of actual sections of the bill to suit their accusations.”

READ ALSO: Anti-Terrorism Bill “Not A Martial Law”, PNP Chief Assures Public

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Photo Source: Philippine News Agency

Based on a report from GMA News, Chief Presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo urged President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to sign the Anti-terror bill. He said they have reviewed it and it contains “sufficient safeguards.”

“Our office has studied each and every provision, which should not be read in isolation but in connection with each other so as to render the document in its entirety, as well as its directives, effective in combatting terrorism, and found the same passing the constitutional test…”

“The bill contains sufficient safeguards which ensure that its provisions would be implemented and enforced against those who intend to sow and create a condition of widespread and extraordinary fear and panic among the populace through lawless actions without violating the latter’s political and civil rights,” he added.

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Photo Source: Nikkei Asian Review

According to the report, Salvador Panelo assured that the Anti-terror bill will serve as the citizen’s powerful weapon against terrorists. He said the country really needs to toughen its anti-terrorism law.

“The proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 will serve as a powerful weapon against participants of these lawless actions, the threat of which is extremely imminent during our current times,” he said.

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READ ALSO: Catriona Gray’s Post Slamming Controversial Bill Elicits Reaction From Vivian Velez

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