Charles Teves
Senate Bill 1083 or the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 now only needs the president’s signature after the House of Representatives approved it after the third and final reading on Wednesday.
The chamber approved House Bill 6875, which seeks to strengthen the government’s fight against terrorism and virtually repeals the Human Security Act of 2007.
It had 173 votes in the affirmative, 31 negative, and 29 abstentions.
Amid the criticism against the bill, Cong. Loren Legarda claimed that she voted no to the measure in a recent tweet.
Just to clarify: I never signed a co author form re anti terror bill. In fact, I voted no to the measure.
— Loren Legarda (@loren_legarda) June 3, 2020
However, according to the list stated on gov.ph, she voted yes to the bill.
Netizens called her out for lying.
Babygirl, let’s not do this memory lane game. pic.twitter.com/5m2KImpyoA
— .. (@BadGuyZolanski) June 3, 2020
Please explain why you're listed as such. And if you voted no, what are you going to do about it now that the signature of the president is the only thing the bill is waiting for? Show us your stance.
— Jam (@jumpthetable) June 3, 2020
cyst you're too late.. and you're LYING.
— iLoveNewwie (@iloveneww) June 3, 2020
Rep @loren_legarda are u saying that the information available on the https://t.co/fB1E2gDgi0 website is incorrect?
Voted no but did u express your dissent on the floor?
We're in disbelief in the timing of your tweet. Hugas kamay after it has passed 3rd reading#JunkTerrorBill https://t.co/AbX2bDMSUk pic.twitter.com/dBu4awvgVI
— Chesca Persia (@chescapersia) June 3, 2020
thing is, she didn't change her view, she simply lied to our faces. She did co author the bill,
and that isn't worth commending. An apology with accountability instead of denial would be much more appreciated. Sorry, I ain't sorry for my sarcasm btw. pic.twitter.com/Vsxim2f3ON— madzNAmadz #MassTestingNowPh (@madzNAmadz) June 3, 2020
Terrorism, according to the measure is described as any activity committed by any person who within or outside the Philippines, regardless of the stage of execution;
- Engages in acts intended to cause death or serious bodily injury to any person, or endangers a person’s life;
- Engages in acts intended to cause extensive damage or destruction to a government or public facility, public place or private property:
- Engages in acts intended to cause extensive interference with, damage or destruction to critical infrastructure;
- Develops, manufactures, possesses, acquires, transports, supplies or uses weapons, explosives or of biological, nuclear, radiological or chemical weapons; and
- Release of dangerous substances, or causing fire, floods, or explosions.
The measure also describes terrorist activities as acts that “intimidate the general public or a segment thereof, create an atmosphere or spread a message of fear, to provoke or influence by intimidation the government or any of its international organization, or seriously destabilize or destroy the fundamental political, economic, or social structures of the country, or create a public emergency or seriously undermine public safety.”
