FILE – Senator Risa Hontiveros. (Albert Calvelo/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines—Senator Risa Hontiveros on Saturday slammed the current administration for its decision to pass the anti-terror bill after President Rodrigo Duterte signed the controversial legislation into law.
In a statement, Hontiveros said that Duterte’s signing of the bill was a signifier of the government’s fear of the growing discontent among the Philippine populace for mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Isa lang ang dahilan kung bakit pinagpilitan ng gobyernong ito ang mabilisang pagpasa ng batas na ito sa gitna ng isang health crisis: Takot sila. They are afraid of the growing discontent of the people with government’s incompetence and abuses during the global pandemic,” said Hontiveros.
(One of the reasons why the government vehemently pushed and quickly passed this into law in the middle of a health crisis was because they’re afraid.)
“This law, with its vague and unconstitutional provisions, will provide government with fearsome legal tools to oppress and silence those who speak out and resist the injustices, the violence and the corruption of those in power.”
Section 4(a) of the controversial bill vaguely defines terrorism as committed by a person who “engages in acts intended to cause death or serious bodily injury to any person, or endangers a person’s life.”
The Philippines is still under lockdown after the COVID-19 confirmed cases breached the 40,000 mark.
Hontiveros said that the government chose “silence the cries and demands of the people” instead of addressing the current health crisis.
“Malinaw na hindi prayoridad ng pamahalaan ang kapakanan ng mamayang Pilipino, kundi ang pagpatay sa ating kalayaan at ang pagkapit sa kapangyarihan,” said Hontiveros. “Pero hindi tayo papatinag. Mas lalo nating palalakasin ang ating boses laban sa paniniil ng ating kalayaan. They will hear the people sing: Sa manlulupig, di ka pasisiil.”
(It’s clear that this government doesn’t prioritize the welfare of the Filipino citizens, but the murder of our freedom and their thirst for power. We won’t be defeated, we’ll shout louder against this oppression. They will hear the people sing, we won’t surrender to conquerors.)