Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno warned the government on pushing the anti-terror bill despite the opposition from celebrities, lawyers, politicians, and groups.
In a tweet, Diokno shared the news about the move of Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, who already signed the controversial measure on Monday and sent a copy to Malacanang.
President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature was the only thing needed for the bill to become a law.
According to Diokno, the government should be ready to face the consequences as they still prioritized the anti-terror bill instead of focusing on mass testing and giving aid to the people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The lawyer reminded that the people leading the government right now could not stay in power forever.
Diokno is one of the known critics of the anti-terror bill that being pushed by lawmakers to strengthen the law against terrorism.
“Kahit tumutol ang taumbayan at binawi ng mga mambabatas ang suporta nila, pinipilit pa rin sa atin itong Anti-Terror Bill na mas prioridad pa nila kesa COVID testing at ayuda. Tandaan nyo: di forever ang kapangyarihan. Marunong maningil ang taumbayang niyurakan ang mga karapatan,” the defeated senatorial candidate said.
Kahit tumutol ang taumbayan at binawi ng mga mambabatas ang suporta nila, pinipilit pa rin sa atin itong Anti-Terror Bill na mas prioridad pa nila kesa COVID testing at ayuda. Tandaan nyo: di forever ang kapangyarihan. Marunong maningil ang taumbayang niyurakan ang mga karapatan. https://t.co/0SzZr0JDk4
— Chel Diokno (@ChelDiokno) June 9, 2020
In his previous post, the lawyer said that when the controversial measure becomes a law, it would be easy for the administration to hunt its critics.
“It’s very easy for the admin to go after those they see as critics. I myself was charged with inciting to sedition, which was later found to have no basis at all. From experience, I can say it’s possible that critics will be charged with inciting to terrorism even without basis,” Diokno said.
It’s very easy for the admin to go after those they see as critics. I myself was charged with inciting to sedition, which was later found to have no basis at all. From experience, I can say it’s possible that critics will be charged with inciting to terrorism even without basis.
— Chel Diokno (@ChelDiokno) June 3, 2020
As of writing, Malacanang has yet to issue a statement whether they’re going to sign the bill or not.