(UPDATED) One of the authors of the controversial Anti-Terrorism Bill denied claims that the passage of the bill coincided with the current coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
Davao de Oro Second District Representative Ruwel Peter Gonzaga, during the One Davao on Covid-19 virtual presser, said the merged version of the Anti-Terrorism Bill from the Senate and the House of Representatives has been pending for a long time and was thoroughly studied before passing it.
“It just so happens that its passage falls on the Covid-19. Pero kanang moingon sila na ‘haphazard’ lang siya pagkahimo (but for those who are claiming that its crafting and passage was only haphazard), that is not true,” Gonzaga said.
Gonzaga said that in the Lower House, it has been pending since the 16th Congress. He only got to participate in the crafting of the bill in the 17th Congress, which failed to pass the committee hearing level.
The bill, however, got a smooth passage under the Senate after its version, Senate Bill 1038 was passed on third and final reading in February 2020. The House's version was passed in early June. Both versions were merged and were transmitted to Malacañang on June 9.
President Rodrigo Duterte, in early June, certified the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Bill as urgent.
This had gained widespread criticisms from the opposition, who blasted both Houses' for prioritizing the ATB, instead of passing measures in response to the current coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
"Sa mga moingon kon ngano ni natunong sa pandemic, ang pandemic ang nitunong sa amoang gihimong balaod (many were questioning why we passed this during the pandemic but were already working on this bill even before the pandemic happened)," Gonzaga said, adding that the current crisis is not a valid reason in postponing its passage.
He also said terrorism activities did not stop even despite the pandemic.
The solon also blasted his colleagues who criticized ATB's passage. He, however, did not name them.
"Kanang mga kongresista nga gareklamo karon kung ngano natunong kana [ATB passage] sa pandemic, naa man sab sila 'tong sa mga nilabay nga mga Congress. Gitagaan na sila og period nga mustroya (I am wondering why those representatives protesting against ATB's passage are claiming that we pushed its passage during the pandemic when in fact they were already present in the previous Congress when it was first pushed. We gave them an opportunity to speak up during our committee hearing)," Gonzaga said.
He said some of those who are voicing their opposition to the media did not even participate during the committee hearing.
"Kana pa hinuong mga kongresista nga wala niapil sa debate mao pa sila ang sikat. Sila sige'g yawyaw sa ilang opposition sa media. Ngano diha nimo basahon imong rason? (These congressmen who did not even participate in the debates, are now voicing out their explanation to the media.) Why did they not participate in the committee hearing?" Gonzaga further said.
The author also reacted to retired Supreme Court senior associate justice Antonio Carpio's claims that the provisions of the bill will be "worse than martial law."
While Gonzaga said he respects the opinion of the former Court official, he, however, said it will be far from reality.
"Lahi ang power nga gigrant sa Anti-Terrorism Bill sa Martial Law (the powers granted on these two laws are different)," he said.
When asked if the crafting of the bill was also based on the abuses experienced during the Martial Law era under the administration of the late Ferdinand Marcos, he did not directly reply.
But he said the abuses of the past cannot be compared to the present since the elements of past abuses are currently no longer visible.
Meanwhile, the official assured the public that the Anti-Terrorism Bill will not compromise their right to freedom of expression. He specifically cited that activism and being critical to the government will not be grounds for an individual to be tagged as a terrorist.
Gonzaga said there is a need to pass the bill, which would repeal the Human Security Act of 2007, citing that its provisions are weak, and cannot adapt to the current threats of terrorism.
He also said that the bill will ensure law and order that would guarantee an improvement in the country's socio-economic aspect.
Aside from Gonzaga, the House version of the Anti-Terrorism Bill was co-authored by Representatives Rozzano Rufino Biazon, Jericho Nograles, Luis Raymund Villafuerte, Michael Odylon Romero, Jocelyn Tulfo, Eric Yap, Rowena Taduran, John Marvin Nieto, Lianda Bolilia, Manuel Dalipe, Narciso Bravo Jr. and Raul Rupas.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that Duterte has yet to see the controversial anti-terrorism bill as it is still in the office of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.
Roque also said the bill's legalities are still being studied. However, he assured that the President will omit or veto questionable and inhumane provisions.