Vice Ganda voiced his fear and worry as the bill on Anti-terrorism was passed both in the congress and senate, and is already up for Duterte’s final signature.
In his post, he stated that having a bill for protection against terrorism is important. However, this should not violate people’s human rights and civil liberties, that instead of instilling a feeling of safety it otherwise placed fear in people of losing their rights and freedom.
That is why he is calling the attention of the legislators to hear the people’s call to junk the bill.
“Naniniwala ako na mahalagang magkaroon ng batas na magbibigay sa atin ng proteksyon laban sa terorismo. Pero mahalaga din na ang mga batas na ito ay hindi makatapak sa ating mga human rights at civil liberties.
“Ang AntiTerrorismBill ay dapat magtanggal sa akin ng takot sa banta ng terorismo,” he said. “Ngunit kung depektibo o kulang sa kalinawan ang pagkakalahad nito ay maaaring magresulta ito sa pangaabuso ng autoridad na syang nagbibigay sa akin ng malaking takot na baka matanggalan ako ng mga karapatan at kalayaan.
“Sana’y bigyan nyo ng atensyon at halaga ang aming mga pangamba bago nyo tuluyang pagdesisyunan ang batas na ito. ANG KAILANGAN NG MGA PILIPINO SA NGAYON AY MAKARAMDAM NG PROTEKSYON AT DI NG ANUMANG URI NG TAKOT,” he stressed and used the hashtag #JunkTerrorBill.
The Anti-terrorism bill replaces the Human Security Act that will allow warrantless arrests and detention of people and groups perceived to be terrorists. It seeks a longer detention period from three days under the current law to up to 14 days, extendable by another 10 days.
The new bill removes the provision for payment of damages at 500,000 per day.
Many want the discard of the bill for they are specifically alarmed on the possibility of abuses since the provision seemed to be imprecise and poorly worded.
And since the bill is on its final verdict, other artists also joined in the call on putting the anti-terrorism bill to junk.
Miss Universe Catriona Gray shared that people should not turn a blind eye and be silent on this matter just because it’s overwhelming.
There is so much happening in the world and in our nation right now, and I know alot of us want to just tune out because it all gets a bit overwhelming. But please, dont allow that to be the reason we revert into silence and turn a blind eye.
— Catriona Gray (@catrionaelisa) June 3, 2020
Anne Curtis also took a stand as she considers the bill vague which can take away a person’s basic rights and freedom.
https://t.co/7vaE77TOlf #JunkTerrorBill pic.twitter.com/uuKDv61sgb
— Anne Curtis-Smith (@annecurtissmith) June 4, 2020
Sharon Cuneta’s daughter Frankie tweeted, “silencing Filipinos was more urgent to them than saving Filipinos. remember that. #JunkTerrorBillNow”
silencing filipinos was more urgent to them than saving filipinos. remember that. #JunkTerrorBillNow
— kakie (@kakiep83) June 3, 2020
Kathryn Bernardo, Maris Racal, and Liza Soberano also went against the bill by resharing the #JUNKTERRORBILL.
https://twitter.com/bernardokath/status/1268069215203819527?s=20
— Maris Racal (@MissMarisRacal) June 2, 2020
— Liza Soberano (@lizasoberano) June 2, 2020
