Lawyers’ group file another petition vs anti-terrorism law
THE GROUP Concerned Lawyers for Civil Liberties filed another petition at the Supreme Court seeking to nullify the new law that expands the definition of terror crimes. Leading the petitioners are former vice-president Jejomar C. Binay, former senator Rene A.V. Saguisag, and former University of the Philippines Law dean Pacifico Agabin. Joining them are Edre U. Olalia, president of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, Adamson College of Law Dean Anna Maria D. Abad, lawyer Anacleto Rei A. Lacanilao III, John Wesley School of Law and Governance Dean J.V. Bautista, University of Cebu School of Law Professor Rose-Liza Eisma-Osorio, and lawyer Emmanuel R. Jabla. The 66-page petition argues that the Anti-Terrorism Act is unconstitutional and void for vagueness and overbreadth. “The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 fails miserably to protect and preserve the guaranties of human rights and civil liberties enshrined in the Constitution and therefore must be struck down,” the lawsuit read. Aside from the “chilling effect” brought by the vagueness of the terms in the law, it also gives law enforcers “unbridled discretion in carrying out its provisions and becomes an arbitrary flexing of the Government muscle.” The law, which took effect July 18, is being questioned in now more than 20 petitions before the country’s highest court. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas
Online monitoring system on waste management launched
AN online monitoring system that will track the compliance of local government units (LGUs) to the solid waste management law has been launched, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) announced Thursday. In a statement, EMB Director William P. Cuñado said they will summon 307 environmental monitoring and enforcement officers stationed across the country to utilize the new system of reporting that is faster and simpler than the old method. The system provides real-time reporting and creates an avenue for a quick response by the LGUs, which are mandated to enforce Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. “With the newly improved system, we can quickly post, share and keep track of reports and complaints more efficiently. Our counterparts in LGUs can immediately view the report and act on it.” Mr. Cuñado said. Meanwhile, Mr. Cuñado said the EMB has fully shifted to the online processing of clearances and permits as part of measures to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus by lessening physical contacts. “The system, which was originally developed as an internal document tracking system, has now largely evolved and will include in the loop, LGUs and other stakeholders to better serve its clients and the public, especially in these uncertain times,” he said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
