Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 13) — The Department of Justice is expected to submit to Malacañang the results of its review on the controversial anti-terrorism bill by June 17.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra in a statement on Saturday said the department “has been requested to submit its comments on the anti-terror bill to the Office of the President by Wednesday, June 17.”
“We’ll review the proposed anti-terrorism bill as independently and objectively as possible, with only the security of the nation and the civil and political rights of the people in mind,” Guevarra said.
The DOJ’s review began on June 6, during which time Congress had not yet sent the bill to President Rodrigo Duterte for enactment. But Guevarra had said that the DOJ “will already start its own review” of the proposed measure, which has drawn much criticism for the constitutionality of some of its provisions.
On June 9, Congress submitted the enrolled bill to the Palace despite calls fo lawmakers to reconsider their decision. Duterte now has 30 days to either sign or veto the bill before it lapses into law.
The bill, earlier certified by Duterte as urgent, will repeal Human Security Act of 2007, giving more surveillance powers to government forces. Critics of the measure say it relaxes safeguards on human rights.
One of its contentious provisions is allowing the detention of suspected terrorists for up to 24 days even without a warrant of arrest. Once enacted, law enforcers can conduct surveillance on suspected terrorists for up to 90 days.
Under the current law, detention without warrant of arrest should only be up to three days, while surveillance is up to 30 days only.
Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said they are ready to challenge the constitutionality of the measure before the Supreme Court, arguing that it poses threats against progressive groups, who previously experienced “red-tagging” from state forces.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday said red-tagging is not a policy of the Duterte administration, refuting observations made by the United Nations’ Human Rights Office. He said the anti-terrorism bill will be subject to review, but noted that it is at par with the laws of other countries and does not automatically brand critics as terrorists.
