Why presidentiables’ stand on terror law is an election issue
Why presidentiables’ stand on terror law is an election issue
By JONAS ALPASAN
with research from James Buates and Kaila Marie Alforte
graphics by Arvin James Luna
Bulatlat.com
MANILA — A human rights defender and one of the petitioners questioning the constitutionality of the terror law said it is important to weigh presidentiables and vice presidential candidates’ take on the controversial law as it may impact the country’s human rights and political landscape in the coming years.
“The views of candidates on the ATA [Anti-Terror Act] are relevant in weighing their standpoint on human rights and democracy – with the ATA considered by petitioners at the Supreme Court as a law that can be most dangerously used to silence political dissent. What is at stake is whatever is left of our civil liberties and freedoms that will be infringed upon if ATA is fully implemented,” Cristina Palabay, secretary general of Karapatan, told Bulatlat in an online interview.
So far, only presidential candidates Vice President Leni Robredo, Sen. Manny Pacquiao, and unionist Leody de Guzman, and their respective running mates have expressed their critical stance on the anti-terror law.
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