Robredo on passage of Anti-terror bill: Nanghina ako, nakakalungkot

Vice President Leni Robredo on Saturday said she was disheartened when she heard that the Anti-Terrorism Bill had been signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a radio interview, Robredo said that the passage of the bill was frustrating, especially as this was enacted amid the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

"Noong nalaman kong pinirmahan na, parang nanghina ako. Nakakalungkot, frustrating, kasi ginawa ito sa kabila ng nasa gitna tayo ng matinding pandemya, ginawa ito sa kabila ng maraming pagtutol ng maraming sektor," Robedo said.

The Vice President, however, emphasized that she was very much aware of the danger terrorism posed.

"Pero iyong sa akin... iyong timing, iyong prosesong nangyari sa House of Representatives, iyong ilang mga probisyon na palagay ko at palagay ng marami ay napakabukas nito para sa pang-aabuso," Robredo said.

Several groups opposed the measure due to concerns that it would be used against dissenters or activists.

Others have also expressed concern over the up to 24-day warrantless detention period for suspected terrorists as well as the alleged authority of the Anti-Terrorism Council to authorize in writing the arrest of terrorism suspects.

"Iyong hinihingi lang sana natin doon... na sana ma-assure iyong tao na iyong safety nets enough doon sa mga probisyon na kinatatakutan natin. Ang paniniwala natin na may mga probisyon na unconstitutional," she added.

While the measure had been signed into law, Robredo said that concerned citizens could still go to the Supreme Court over this alleged violation against the Constitution.

"Puwedeng patuloy iyong pag-engage sa Congress—sa Senado, sa House of Representatives—para ma-repeal o ma-amend iyong ibang mga provisions nito na hindi katanggap-tanggap sa atin," Robredo said.

The vice president urged the public not to lose hope, saying that the power remained in the hands of the citizenry.

"Pero iyong pinakapunto ko dito... sana huwag tayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Sana iniisip natin na iyong kapangyarihan, nasa kamay pa din ng ordinaryong mamamayan, at patuloy na— Kahit pinanghinaan tayo ng loob, sana pansamantala lang ito, kasi iyong laban nandiyan pa din," Robredo said.

"Kaya sana patuloy: patuloy iyong pakikipaglaban, patuloy iyong pagpapaabot ng ating pangamba, patuloy iyong paghanap ng mga paraan para mabago kung anuman iyong nangyari na. Pero iyong sa akin, laban natin ito lahat, kaya sana sama-sama pa din tayo para ipaglaban iyong palagay natin na makakabuti para sa atin," she added.

Though also afraid, Robredo urged the public to remain courageous, saying that the longer they stay silent, the more they would lose their voices.

"Kapag natakot tayo lahat, iyon iyong katapusan natin. Kapag natakot tayong lahat, lahat na pinanindigan natin, lahat na pinaglaban natin, parang mawawala nang parang bula," the vice president said.

"Sana iyong takot natin, hindi tayo magpa-paralyze doon. Kasi oras na hinayaan natin na maparalisa tayo ng ating takot, kawawa iyong mga taong umaasa sa atin," she later added. — DVM, GMA News