Solons to make recommendations in IRR for new anti-terror law —Biazon

Muntinlupa City Representative Ruffy Biazon on Sunday said he and some of his fellow congressmen will come up with recommendations in the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the newly-enacted Anti-Terrorism Law of 2020 to address the public fears stemming from to the controversial law.

"May mga kasamahan ako sa Kongreso na sinasabi nga nila na magsusumite ng  recommendations sa pagbuo ng IRR, na baka naman maaari pang ma-tweak yung batas para yung mga pangamba ay mabawasan," Biazon said in a Dobol B sa News TV interview.

"Pinapaaral ko na sa staff kung paano kami makakapagbigay ng recommendation patungo sa IRR," he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday signed RA 11479, or the Anti-Terrorism Law of 2020, despite objections from various groups, including the United Nations human rights body and the Bangsamoro Transition Authority.

Biazon was a principal author of the new anti-terrorism law when it was still being deliberated in the House of Representatives. However, he withdrew authorship at the last minute and voted "no" to the measure.

"Hindi lang ako naging kuntento sa ibang probisyon na merong posibilidad ng misinterpretation. Ayokong sabihin na intensyon na mang-abuso pero meron kasing room for misinterpretation," he said.

"Kung gagawa tayo ng batas, gusto natin sana na malinaw talaga yung pwedeng gawin, yung kailangang gawin para hindi maging subject to iba-ibang mga interpretasyon at lalong-lalo na yung iba-ibang implementasyon," he added.

Biazon is hoping that some of the unclear provisions in the law would be clarified when it comes to the IRR, in particular, Section 25 on the designation of a "terrorist."

"Ang intensyon at sa pagkasulat naman ay yun ang gustong palabasin, na bago ma-designate ang isang tao bilang terrorist ay may probable cause na mahanap. Probable cause na ma-determine ng ating judiciary o sa judicial process natin at hindi lang yung arbitrary na designation by the Anti-Terrorism Council," he pointed out.

"Isa yun sa pwede pang ma-cure pagdating doon sa IRR. Restating na ang determination ng probable cause ay by the prosecutors or by the judges. Para lang malinaw, isa yun sa mga pangamba na maaaring ma-cure," he added.

Following the enactment of the law, a group led by Ateneo and La Salle law professor and lecturer Howard Calleja filed a petition before the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the act.

Senator Francis Pangilinan also said he is preparing a petition to question the law before the high tribunal.

Biazon said he does not think the moves to challenge the law before the Supreme Court will not hamper the government's campaign against terrorism.

"Kung mag-issue ng injunction ang Supreme Court, mapipigilan ang paggamit ng batas. Kaya kinakailangan nating ma-resolve siya agad kapag dinala sa Korte Suprema yan. Pero ang law enforcement, patuloy naman siya na pwedeng mag-operate," he said.

"Baka lang may konting hindrance o konting gaps sa pwede nilang gamitin sa ilalim ng batas partikular sa paghahabol sa mga terorista na nagtatangkang gumawa ng karahasan," he added.

The Anti-Terrorism Law of 2020 will take effect 15 days after its complete publication on the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general circulation. —LBG, GMA News