Robredo: Safeguards against abuse in Anti-Terror Law not enough

The supposed safeguards against authorities’ abuse in the Anti-Terror Act of 2020 are not enough, Vice President Leni Robredo stressed Sunday.

In her weekly radio show, Robredo underscored that the Constitution is a “social contract” between the government and the people that must give equal rights to both parties.

“E dito sa Anti-Terror Law, wala ito. Mayroong safeguards pero hindi enough. Ang parating dapat presumption, parating may tendency na mag-abuso,” she said.

“Maraming mga mahuhusay, maraming professional, pero kahit mas marami iyong mahusay, mas marami iyong professional, kapag nahaluan ito ng mga rogue na mga implementors, tapos na tayo,” she added.

Robredo earlier said she was saddened by President Rodrigo Duterte’s enactment of the controversial measure into law but said the fight is not yet over. 

Duterte signed the measure on July 3 despite mounting opposition from various sectors. 

“Iyong hinihingi natin, hindi na hindi magkaroon ng Anti-Terrorism Law; iyong hinihingi natin, kung magkakaroon, siguraduhin iyong safeguards sa pang-aabuso,” Robredo said.

The vice president also pointed out that the actions taken by the government against Rappler chief Maria Ressa and broadcast network ABS-CBN are proof that the law can  be weaponized against dissenters.

“Mayroon nang pattern na kapag nagboboses ka, ikaw ay gigipitin. Tingnan mo na lang, sino ba iyong mga bina-bash ngayon na grabe? Iyong mga naglalakas-loob na magboses. Lalo na ngayon na mayroon silang sandata,” she lamented.

On Saturday, a group of lawyers and former Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro filed a petition challenging the constitutionality of the Anti-Terrorism Act before the Supreme Court. 

Lawyers from the Far Eastern University are likewise set to question the measure before the high court. — BM, GMA News