04/06/2020
A Unity Statement Against the Passage of the Philippine Anti-Terror Bill
We, members of the legal profession, express our very serious concern and register our strong opposition to the impending passage of the Anti-Terror Bill by the Philippine Congress.
When the Anti-Terror Bill becomes a law, the institutionalization of further threats and attacks on human rights and civil liberties becomes even more brazen and legalized despite formal assurances that are proven to be rhetorical than real.
The Anti-Terror Bill is a misnomer as it actually spreads "terror" in the strategy to discourage, punish or eliminate all forms of dissent, opposition and protest which are basic democratic rights in any civilized society.
This draconian proposal broadens the definition of "terrorism" on completely vague terms and practically works on mere suspicion as basis for violating basic rights to life, liberty, property and to due process of law, all purportedly to combat violence.
It strips off the Filipino people of their freedom of speech and association - civil liberties that we have fought for through the years, recognized by international law and respected by democratic societies.
It gives the executive, the police and the military overbroad discretion to judge what are terrorist acts and unbridled unilateral authority to determine who are terrorists.
The bill also abandons the doctrine of checks and balance as it weakens and undermines the role of the Judiciary to ensure due process and fairplay.
Certifying the Anti-Terror Bill as an urgent legislation and railroading the deliberations, amid a catastrophic pandemic, betrays the misplaced priorities in these pressing times.
Will we allow any government the singular feat of rushing an omnipotent law pockmarked with anti-civil liberties provisions while we all grapple with a deadly pandemic? We dissent.
We, members of the legal profession find this unacceptable and we cannot let this happen without being unfaithful to our oath to do justice.
We stand in solidarity with the Filipino people in these trying times. We will expose and oppose the imposition of any draconian legislation in any guise or justification. #
ctto (thanks): Atty. Boni F. Tacardon