Palace touts support of LGUs for antiterror bill

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on Tuesday he believed President Rodrigo Duterte was inclined to sign the antiterror bill into law, and touted the growing support among local government officials for the measure.

Roque told a press briefing that the bill had yet to reach the President’s desk and was under review by the Office of the Executive Secretary.

But he said in a television interview that he thought the President “is inclined to sign it.”

He also said the bill had gotten support from local government officials, quoting Interior Secretary Eduardo Año.

He said 784 local officials have backed the measure. These included 43 governors, 68 city mayors, and 673 municipal mayors, he said.

The antiterror bill has been the subject of criticism from rights groups, lawyers’ organizations, students, and activists due to its broad and vague definition of terrorism, which critics said could be used and abused to crack down on the opposition.

They also questioned the 14-day detention without charges for terror suspects, which could be extended by 10 days.

President Duterte had certified the bill as urgent.

The Department of Justice will submit to Malacañang on Wednesday its comments on the antiterror bill which critics said contained provisions that violate the Constitution.

—With a report by Dona Z. Pazzibugan