PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has yet to see the controversial anti-terrorism bill as it is still in the office of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque disclosed on Tuesday, June 16.

Roque He said the President was waiting for Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, primary author of the bill, to finalize the measure.

“Sinabi ng Presidente pagdating sa terror bill inaantay lang niya si Senator Lacson na i-finalize ang commas and periods niya,” Roque said in response to a question on the status of the bill during his virtual press conference Tuesday.

The bill, which was approved by the Senate in February 2020 and adopted by the House of Representatives in early June, was transmitted to Malacañang last June 9.

Roque said that the law has yet to reach the President as it is still being scrutinized by the office of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

“Ibig sabihin po bagamat nasa Malacañang na ang terror bill, siguro po pinag-aaralan pa ng Office of the Executive Secretary ang sinumiteng panukalang batas dahil wala pa po mismo sa lamesa ng Presidente,” Roque said.

“Pero Monday lang naman po kahapon, at dumating ang Presidente ng Sunday. So hindi pa siguro niya nakikita or hindi pa po nai-t-transmit sa kanyang lamesa for signature,” he added.

The President has 30 days within which to review, sign, or veto a bill.

The measure will lapse into law if the President does not act on it within this period.

Meanwhile, Roque said a total of 784 local government executives have expressed support for the anti-terror bill. They include 43 governors, 68 city mayors and 673 municipal mayors. (SunStar Philippines)