Chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo has accused the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) of using its religious influence to pressure the Supreme Court (SC) to decide against the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 2020.
Chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo has accused the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines of using its religious influence to pressure the Supreme Court to decide against the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.Panelo made the statement after the CBCP, in a letter, expressed disbelief about the manner in which the contentious Anti-Terror Bill was fast-tracked and approved in both Houses of Congress while the whole country’s attention was focused on the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Such advocacy, coupled with its call to its faithful followers to prayer, effectively exerts religious influence or pressure on the Supreme Court to decide against a national law designed to combat the global crime of terrorism and to secure the safety of the Filipino people,” he said Sunday. “It appears that all petitioners have adopted a favorite phrase — ‘chilling effect’ — in describing the law’s provisions when implemented,” he said.“The definition of the crime of terrorism is as clear as the sunlight, the same being precise that leaves no room for misinterpretation. It abounds with safeguards protective of the basic liberties of those arrested and detained, as well as deterrents against possible abuses by law enforcement agents,” he said.
According to the Palace official, the CBCP only has to trust the country’s judicial system instead of likening the government to “the proverbial frog swimming in a pot of slowly boiling water.”#
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
CBCP hits anti-terror law, calls for prayersMANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is calling for prayers amid the recent signing of the highly controversial Anti-Terror Act of 2020, saying the
Read more »
CBCP hits draconian security laws in Philippines, Hong Kong'While a semblance of democracy is still in place and our democratic institutions somehow continue to function, we are already like the proverbial frog swimming in a pot of slowly boiling water,' says the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines
Read more »
Duterte’s ‘oligarchy’ speech ‘probably edited’ by Palace transcribers — PaneloChief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo has pinned the blame on the Palace transcription team for editing the controversial 'oligarchy' speech delivered by President Duterte in Jolo early this week.
Read more »
Panelo tells ABS-CBN employees not to blame gov’t for loss of jobsEmployees of ABS-CBN Corporation should neither get angry nor blame the government for their latest predicament following the non-renewal of the network’s franchise, according to Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo. Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo
Read more »
SC urged to stop formation of Anti-Terrorism Council in 10th petition vs. anti-terror law
Read more »
Anti-terror law takes effect midnight of July 18MANILA, Philippines - Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 will take effect midnight of July 18, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Friday sans its Implementing Rules and
Read more »