Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said lawmakers who supported the controversial anti-terrorism bill cannot officially withdraw their “yes” votes after the bill has already been passed.
“They can (withdraw votes) sa media, pero sa Congress, they cannot,” Lacson said.
[They can withdraw their votes in media, but in Congress, they cannot.]
Both chambers of the Congress will transmit the measure to Malacañang on Monday, with President Rodrigo Duterte left with the final say on the bill. As the president certified the bill as urgent, critics say it’s as good as signed.
“I believe it is today that the Senate and the House of Representatives will transmit the measure as an enrolled bill. It is now up to the President to either veto, approve the measure, or not act on it and make it just lapse into law,” Lacson added.
A number of lawmakers— including Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon and Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, among others— have sought to withdraw and clarify their stance amid widespread backlash on the measure.
