Anti-terror law will defend itself before SC —Sotto

Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Wednesday maintained that the Anti-Terrorism Act (RA11479) can withstand the scrutiny of the Supreme Court after several groups challenged its constitutionality.

"Ang depensa nung bill or nung law sa SC is the law itself. It is the best defense. It is the best argument. Read it. Do not interpret. Read it black and white, makikita mo," Sotto said in a virtual Kapihan sa Manila Bay.

"Kung mayroon kang [critics na] sampung legal luminary, haharapan ka namin ng 1,000 legal luminaries na sinasabing tama 'yung mga nakalagay doon sa batas. Kaya lang hindi sila maingay," he added. "I’m very confident. I don’t see any problem with the Anti-Terrorism Law of the Philippines."

He also claimed that those who oppose the measure have already made up their minds and will no longer accept any explanation that is being offered.

"Ayaw nila. Ganun kasimple," Sotto said.

He also slammed international groups and advocates who disagree with the passage of the anti-terror law.

"Bakit hindi nila pintasan 'yung kanila? Doon saksakan ng higpit. Talagang malala. Walang human rights, human rights 'yung mga bills nila. Ganun mga klase ng mga bills nila. Dito sa atin, sobrang nalulunod sa safeguard 'yung Anti-Terrorism law natin kung tutuusin," he said.

The controversial law, which repealed the Human Security Act of 2007, was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last Friday.

It drew various criticisms for extending the 36-hour detention period for those arrested without warrant to up to 24 days, and removing the provision on payment of P500,000 damages for each day that a suspected terrorist is wrongfully detained, among others.

The alleged grant of excessive power to the Anti-Terrorism Council is also being questioned by critics as they pointed out that the law could be abused to stifle activism—an argument that has been repeatedly countered by proponents of the measure.

The Office of the Solicitor General would be the one answering to the petitions filed before the SC, according to Sotto. — BM, GMA News