The concern that the new law would be used to crush dissent and harass the opposition is not far-off.
Abusing the law will have adverse impact on human rights and undermine the rule of law. It will be very costly on the part of an administration whose dismal human rights record has caused international embarrassment.
The political cost could extend up to the presidential polls in 2010. In the same manner that the ‘Hello Garci’ controversy tainted the administration slate during the 2007 midterm elections, the HSA would be the administration’s kiss of death in 2010.
A petition before the Supreme Court to question the constitutionality of the anti-terror law would be fitting. The government should not preempt attempts to seek judicial intervention on the constitutionality of the HSA by manipulating its vagueness.
It would be prudent for the government to side with human rights and civil liberties, otherwise it exposes itself anew to embarrassment and rebuke from the High Court that reprimanded the government for its draconian measures.
