Chiz Escudero, Heart Evangelista discuss antiterrorism bill: ‘Too broad, worrisome’

Sorsogon Gov. Chiz Escudero has shared with wife Heart Evangelista his views on the antiterrorism bill which was signed into law yesterday, July 3.

In Heart’s latest vlog entry, which appears to be filmed before the law was signed, Chiz shared that the then bill was “too broad” and “worrisome.”

The governor said he had serious reservations about it, especially with the section that allowed the antiterrorism council (ATC) to arrest someone they deem as suspects without a warrant.

“Because under the Constitution and under the law, you can only be arrested if they have a warrant of arrest issued by the judge,” he said.

A warrantless arrest could only occur, he explained, if the person was caught in the act of committing a crime, police officers were in hot pursuit since a person had just recently committed a crime, or the person was a prison escapee.

“That’s the problematic part,” he said. “The antiterrorism council or the law did not provide for the quantum of evidence or proof the ATC should have before they can consider you a suspect.”

Aside from not providing the procedure by which a person could be considered a suspect, Chiz said no procedures were laid out on how the ATC would vote if a person was a suspect or not.

Chiz said he anticipated that the bill would be passed into law, but he also expected many people would file cases before the Supreme Court to question it.

“For sure. That is a certainty,” he said.

“Now if they place limitations, procedures in order to constitute what they call a valid delegation of legislative power to the ATC then probably it can withstand constitutional scrutiny by the Supreme Court,” he said.

“But then again the Supreme Court as they say is the court of last resort. If the Supreme Court makes a mistake it nevertheless becomes part of the law of the land because they are the final arbiter of anything.”

According to the former senator, those who disagree with the law can also go to Congress and make their position known so the branch can either amend, repeal, or abrogate the law.

Yesterday, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the antiterror bill into law despite the objection of several groups and individuals. 

Before the law was passed, even the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) urged the President to veto the bill which can be used as a means to discriminate against Bangsamoro. – RC, GMA News