DOJ: Drafting of Anti-Terror law guidelines ‘on schedule’

MANILA, Philippines — The drafting of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the Anti-Terror law is “right on schedule” and is expected to be published this weekend, an official of the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Thursday.

Justice Undersecretary Adrian Sugay said the Justice Department has 90 days after the signing of the law to promulgate the IRR.

“We’re right on schedule, sa aming pagbibilang, we have 90 days para ma-promulgate ‘yung IRR,” he said in an interview over dzBB.

(We are right on schedule, based on our count. We have 90 days to promulgate the IRR.)

“We have until this weekend, ‘yun ang aming schedule diyan,” Sugay added.

(We have until this weekend. That is our schedule for it.)

The public has nothing to worry about in the implementation of the Anti-Terror Act, Sugay said, as the IRR defined and clarified provisions of the law, especially the definition of terrorism, which many has criticized as being “vague.”

“Pinapaliwanag natin ‘yung mga provision ng mga IRR. May safety nets kung ano ‘yung mga dapat at hindi dapat gawin, naging malinaw doon,” he said.

(We have explained the provisions of the IRR. We have safety nets on what should be done and what is not to be done. It is clear there.)

“Sinubukan talaga naming ipaliwanag kung ano ‘yung sinasaad ng batas,” he added.

(We are really trying to explain what the law says.)

Despite petitions pending before the Supreme Court against the Anti-Terror Act, the DOJ proceeded to craft the IRR as the law is still presumed “valid,” the Justice undersecretary said.

“Alam namin na nandun yung petitions, hangga’t hindi naiisantabi ‘yung batas, o nababalewala o sinasantabi ng Korte Suprema, ‘yung batas is valid and we have really no choice to finish the IRR,” he said.

(We are aware of the petitons. The law is valid unless the Supreme Court invalidates it. We really have no choice but to finish the IRR.)

/MUF