784 Local Chief Executives Support Anti-Terror Bill
ANTI-TERROR BILL – Malacañang said 784 governors and mayors supported the controversial Anti-terror bill.
On June 1, Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte certified the Anti-terrorism bill as urgent. The bill will give ‘more teeth’ in the country’s fight against terrorism. It amends the Human Security Act of 2007.
However, a lot of people including lawyers, celebrities, and groups said the controversial bill has a loose definition and uses generic terms. They are worried that the administration might use it to suppress free speech.
On Independence Day, defy the bad weather and quarantine rules to urge the government to junk the anti-terror bill. Kapuso actress Janine Gutierrez joined the Mañanita-style protest in the University of the Philippines (UP).
In a previous article, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s legal counsel Salvador Panelo said they have reviewed the bill and said it contains “sufficient safeguards.” He assured the Filipino that it will protect the people from terrorist attacks. The bill is awaiting for the chief executive’s signature.
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Based on a report from Philstar, the Malacañang Palace spokesman Harry Roque announced that a total of 784 local chief executives supports the Anti-terror bill. He said there are 43 governors, 673 municipal mayors, and 68 city mayors expressed their support for the controversial bill.
According to the report, Harry Roque said Duterte is “inclined” to sign the Anti-terror bill into law. He revealed that the president is just waiting for the final version from Senator 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,” he said.
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