Sotto: Transmitted anti-terror bill still for Duterte’s review before signing

Published June 09, 2020 02:50 PM By DONA MAGSINO,GMA News

Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Tuesday said the anti-terror bill, which has been transmitted to Malacañang, will still be reviewed by President Rodrigo Duterte before being signed.

"He will review first before signing," Sotto said in a message to reporters.

Sotto said the final copies of the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act have officially been received by the office of the Executive Secretary and the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office.

Asked if he thinks Duterte will enact it on the same day, the Senate President said: "Hindi. Matagal pa 'yun."

Sotto, nonetheless, said he is confident that the measure will not be vetoed by the President.

The House of Representatives adopted

the Senate's version of the bill and approved the same on third and final reading on June 3. It has been certified as urgent by Duterte.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday afternoon also confirmed the transmittal of the controversial bill to the Palace.

He previously said Duterte will be “guided by what is best” for the country amid calls for the government to junk the bill which aims to replace the Human Security Act of 2007.

If passed into law, the legislation can still be challenged before the Supreme Court, according to retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio.

Among the controversial provisions of the measure were the extension of detention period for those arrested without warrant from the current 36 hours to 14 days, which is extendable by 10 more days; the court's issuance of preliminary proscription order within 72 hours; and the allegedly "ambiguous" definition of what constitutes terrorism.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, on the other hand, previously assured that while the provisions of the bill seem tough, the safeguards that were put into place were tougher. — RSJ, GMA News

View on GMA News