Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 18) — Presidential aspirant Leody de Guzman said he will abolish a controversial government task force and seek ways to repeal the highly contested anti-terrorism law if he wins the presidency.
He said the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, an agency under the Office of the President which has been under criticism due to red-tagging, will be scrapped if he wins the 2022 elections. He added the billions of pesos proposed for its 2022 budget will be reallocated so medical frontliners can receive better benefits.
The veteran labor leader also said he will work against the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, the most challenged law in Philippine history. Petitioners argue the law signed by President Rodrigo Duterte relaxes safeguards on human rights and is open to abuse.
“Iparerebisa ko iyan hanggang sa ma-repeal ‘yan dahil isa itong panunupil sa karapatang pantao, isang paraan ng marahas na pamumuno. Hindi ako sang-ayon sa marahas na pamumuno,” he said at the Pandesal Forum.
[Translation: I will ask for its revision until it is repealed. It curtails human rights, it’s a way for a violent leadership. I am against a violent reign.]
De Guzman also shared he is against the death penalty and for a divorce law.
