The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered government authorities to submit their comments on petitions filed against the newly enacted Anti-Terrorism Law, sources said.
Respondents include Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and the eight other members of the Anti-Terrorism Council.
There are currently four petitions challenging the constitutionality of the controversial law. The petitions were filed by the Rep. Edcel Lagman, the Makabayan bloc, and the groups of Atty. Howard Calleja and FEU Law have been consolidated, according to sources. The Supreme Court order comes a day after the petitions were filed.
The said law takes effect on July 18. The Anti-Terrorism Council, chaired by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, will have to convene to review the law and formulate its implementing rules and regulations.
The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 repeals the Human Security Act of 2007, giving more surveillance powers to government forces. Among its contentious features is a provision giving the Anti-Terrorism Council the authority to arrest identified terrorists without issuing a warrant.
