Vice President Leni Robredo on Saturday commented on the signing of the Anti-Terrorism Act despite calls from various civic groups and law personalities. All these amid the country continues to struggle with addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Robredo admitted she felt fear and frustration upon learning that the president had signed the controversial measure.
“Nung nalalaman ko na nilagdaan na, parang nanghina ako. Nakakalungkot, frustrating kasi ginawa ito sa kabila ng nasa gitna tayo ng matinding pandemya at ginawa ito sa kabila ng maraming pagtutol ng maraming sektor,” the VP expressed in an interview.
[When I learned that it was signed already, I felt weak. It was saddening and frustrating because it happened when we’re in the middle of a pandemic and it was done despite opposition coming from various sectors.]
“Ako natatakot din pero sa gitna ng takot ma-assure tayong tama ang pinaglalaban natin kasi oras na hinayaan natin na maparalisa tayo ng takot, kawawa ang mga taong umaasa sa atin,” she continued.
[I am afraid, too, but amid this fear, let’s take assurance that we are fighting for what is right because the moment we are paralyzed by fear, the people who depend on us will suffer),” she added.]
On July 3, Friday, President Rodrigo Duterte inked the Republic Act No. 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 into law.
She noted that several lawyers and former justices have already said that some provisions may be deemed in contradiction with the law of the land, the Constitution. She hopes that there will be safeguards against abuses, while also recognizing that “these are not enough.”
“Sana lagyan ng mas maayos na safeguards, sana walang provision na labag sa konstitusyon [kasi] ang pinakamahalaga ang karapatan ng mamamayan.”
[There should be safeguards, there should be no provisions that are unconstitutional because the safety of the citizens should be the most important.]
Robredo ended the interview in a hopeful note. She reminded Filipinos to continue voicing out their opinions while staying vigilant.
