Manila Bulletin
Business groups buck anti-terrorism bill
Several of the Philippines' largest business organizations have expressed strong opposition to the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
They issued a joint statement urging the government to prioritize addressing the coronavirus pandemic's effects and helping Filipinos survive the crisis instead of passing the "highly divisive" bill.
The groups stated that current national security threats are already well-addressed by existing laws and policies.
Concerns were raised that the bill poses a clear and present danger to constitutionally enshrined human rights.
The business organizations believe the bill is "highly divisive" and that the nation needs unity at this time.
The House of Representatives recently approved House Bill 6875 on third and final reading, and a similar bill approved by the Senate (Senate Bill 1083) last February.
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Officials from Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) and De La Salle University (DLSU) urged President Duterte to veto the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, citing concerns about its timing and potential for abuse.
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Senator Risa Hontiveros and Senator Francis Pangilinan condemned the passage of the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act in Congress, arguing it shows misplaced priorities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Caritas Philippines, the social action arm of the Catholic Church, has expressed concern over the new anti-terrorism bill, citing it as "unjust and unlawful" and a potential tool for "tyranny and totalitarianism."
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Several Filipino celebrities and progressive organizations are expressing opposition to the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
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The University of Santo Tomas (UST) and the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) have opposed the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, expressing concerns that it could undermine civil rights.
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