Anti-terror law worsens economic policymaking for a few at the expense of many
Anti-terror law worsens economic policymaking for a few at the expense of many
June 8, 2020
By IBON Media & Communications
IBON.org
The Duterte administration wants an anti-terrorism law giving it unchecked power to surveil, harass, arrest and detain government critics under the pretext of fighting terrorism. It has been on a trajectory of violating human rights, due process, rule of law, and accountability since the start of its term. With the new law, the government will achieve authoritarianism unmatched since Martial Law in the 1970s.
Such power threatens to be abused for self-serving political ends especially as the 2022 elections near. The crackdown on perceived critics and political opposition will set back democracy further and herald even more and worse human rights violations. It will further divide the country and destabilize the economy.
Our nation can ill afford this – it is already suffering from COVID-19 and reeling from the worst economic collapse in its history.
Yet while the immediate situation is dire, the long-term impacts are arguably even more far-reaching. The proposed anti-terror law creates conditions for the State’s vast powers to be used to favor big business cronies and to entrench economic policies profiting a few at the expense of Filipinos and national development.
This is because the Duterte administration seeks to cripple the most determined forces struggling for democratic socioeconomic reforms – social activists, organizations of the basic sectors, and progressives in and out of government. If passed, the anti-terror law will be used against the fiercest critics of neoliberal economic policies, corruption and cronyism that disadvantage the many to profit a few.
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