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Monday, October 10, 2005
Senator sees 3 contentious issues in anti-terror bill
By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- Senator Rodolfo Biazon said he foresees a heated debate on three contentious issues in the controversial anti-terror bill that is scheduled for plenary discussion this week.
He said during an interview in Davao City Saturday that the debate may drag on for a few days or several years depending on the openness of the lawmakers to meet halfway.
The three issues he cited as most likely to cause trouble are the definition of terrorism, judicial handling of suspects, and levels of punishment.
Biazon said the Senate version had taken cared of the three issues and senators this week will be reconciling the bill with that of the House version.
He said questions will definitely be raised on the House version's definition of terrorism, considering that the bill seeks to label street protesters as terrorists.
As to the judicial handlings of suspects, Biazon said it must be determined if terrorism will be considered a bailable or non-bailable offense. On the level of punishment, Biazon said they must come to an agreement as to the levels of punishment to be meted on a person involved in terrorist activities.
"Kasi di naman pwedeng death penalty ang ipataw mo dun sa nagtransfer lang ng funds for the terrorists. Pero dun sa mismong pumapatay yun dapat dun death penalty," Biazon said. (You can't punish a person who did the funds transfer for terrorists with death. However, you can mete out the death penalty of those who actually do the killings.)
Asked how long he expects the debate on the anti-terror bill to last, Biazon said no one knows for sure. He said it might take as long as nine years like that in the death penalty law or just a few days.
"No one knows for sure what's inside the minds of the lawmakers," Biazon said.
The senator however admitted that the country badly needs an anti-terrorism law to address the growing threat of terror not just in the country but in the world as well. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
(October 10, 2005 issue)
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