Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque assured the Anti-Terrorism Bill will undergo thorough review now that the decision to turn it into a law is in President Rodrigo Duterte’s hands.
Roque on Tuesday confirmed that Malacaῆang has received the enrolled copy of the Anti-Terrorism Bill from Congress.
“Iyan naman po ay dadaan sa proseso. Pag-aaralang mabuti ang mga probisyon at kung meron pong mga probisyong unconstitutional then ia-advise ni Presidente kung ive-veto or hindi (It will undergo a process. Provisions will be studied carefully, if there are unconstitutional provisions, then the President will advise to veto it or not),” Roque said.
“We have 30 days, kapag hindi po nilagdaan ng Presidente (If the President does not sign it), it will become a law. So we have 30-day period to review,” Roque added.
Amid concerns on possible abuse of police power on tagging innocent individuals as terrorists, Roque assured there are safeguards such as the need of “judicial declaration to become classified as a terrorist group.”
PNP Chief Gen. Archie Gamboa assured no Martial Law will take place and the policies implemented by the police force will be in accordance with the law.
“We will wait for the implementing rules and regulations para ating matingnan what’s in it for the PNP and what’s in it for the public (We will wait for the IRR to see what is in it for the PNP and the public). But rest assured the Philippine National Police will always operate under the law,” Gamboa ensured.
Meanwhile, DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra is expecting to “immediately receive a letter” asking for the DOJ’s comment on the bill “As in the past, we shall focus on issues of constitutionality. Our deadline will be set by the OP but I believe that 15 days will be good enough,” Guevarra said.
Report from Mela Lesmoras
