Palace: Duterte ‘inclined’ to sign anti-terror bill
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte “is inclined” to sign the proposed amendments on the country’s anti-terrorism law, Malacañang said Tuesday.
“He [Duterte] spoke and rhetorically, he said he was waiting for Senator [Panfilo] Lacson to finish his commas and his periods, but that was rhetorical because of course the road bill is now on his desk. Let’s just say that he is taking a final look at it and I think he is inclined to sign it,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an interview over CNN Philippines, when sought for comment on the matter.
Roque added that the bill is undergoing final review by the Office of the Executive Secretary and Malacañang is awaiting the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) inputs on the proposed measure.
The anti-terrorism bill awaits the President’s signature after Congress transmitted the copy to Malacañang on June 9.
Duterte could either sign the bill into law or veto it. He could also let the measure lapse into law after 30 days of receipt without signing it.
While the measure is seen to toughen up the country’s anti-terrorism law, several groups and lawmakers expressed concern that it would be “abused” to crack down on dissent.
The anti-terror bill seeks to toughen up the Human Security Act of 2007 and punish those who will propose, incite, conspire, participate in the planning, training, preparation, and facilitation of a terrorist act; including those who will provide material support to terrorists, and recruit members in a terrorist organization.
