AN ACT seeking to strengthen the right to free expression, to peaceably assemble, and to petition the government for redress of grievances — precisely the very rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights of the 1987 Constitution — was approved by the House of Representatives by a vote of 212-5 on Monday, Feb. 5.

House Bill (HB) 6834 or the New Public Assembly bill seeks to repeal Batas Pambansa (BP) 880 or the Public Assembly Act of 1985. But critics of the bill say this measure serves to restrict rather than promote basic rights already enshrined in the Constitution.

The measure added provisions on the allowed equipment during public assembly and stipulates that ralliers be responsible for “proper disposal of any waste… generated by or during the meeting or assembly.”

Under the bill, “the military, police, and other law enforcement authorities, and persons or groups who do not agree with the purpose of the public assembly, shall not interfere with the conduct of the public assembly,” but the presence of a police officer may be requested to ensure the safety of the participants.

HB 6834 further enumeratesthe guidelines and rules of conduct of law enforcers who will be present in such assemblies.

Anakpawis Rep. Ariel B. Casilao, one of the five lawmakers who voted no, said the bill will “eventually restrict the freedoms of our people in their right to redress the government.”

He said that requiring an issuance or application of permit to conduct a public assembly restricts the people from assembling right away in immediate response to a disagreeable policy by the government.

“Kapag ikaw po ay hindi nakapag-notify, ibig sabihin, mayroong paglabag sa batas (If you failed to issue a notice, it means that you violated the law),” Mr. Casilao said.

He further noted that the penal provisions are stricter than the currently effective law that the measure seeks to replace.

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