Any objection to an idea upholding public safety and security is suspect.
Why would anyone reject proposals that would even ensure that he or she would be out of harm’s way?
It just doesn’t make any sense. In fact, it is ridiculous.
We dare say any person or party that is opposed to measures to protect the country from threats of terrorism should be charged with treason.
And why are we not surprised from what ideological stripe these oppositors come from?
Leftist legislators are wary of Malacanang’s push for a stronger anti-terrorism law, warning of “possible human rights violations” should the administration get its wish.
Bayan Muna Reps. Teddy Casiño and Neri Colmeras vowed to block President Aquino’s demand to water down the safeguards to the Human Security Act of 2007.
The administration wants to lift the P500,000-per-day indemnity to people wrongly arrested on terrorism charges, and instead make the amount the total indemnity for the duration of a suspect’s detention.
The President has said the HSA must be amended because law enforcers are wary about making arrests as a result of it.
“[But] Such amendments aim to remove the safeguards placed by the opposition during the previous administration,” Casiño was quoted by a broadsheet as saying. “These were meant to protect the public from the real threat to human rights and civil liberties in the name of anti-terrorism.”
Casiño said P-Noy’s plan to weaken the safeguards did not speak well of his supposed democratic beliefs.
Colmenares said weakening the safeguards to the law would be very dangerous.
“(It’s a demand) we would expect from [former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo] and not from a supposed human rights advocate like (Aquino), he said. “The move is a Marcosian measure, and it will be a sad day for human rights in the country if it is approved.”
Meanwhile, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte slammed another ridiculous proposal to require a law-enforcement agency to tell a person suspected of terrorist acts that he or she is under surveillance.
“The idea of telling the person that he or she is under surveillance is the moronic thing to do,” Belmote said.
And we agree with the House leader absolutely.
Published : Tuesday May 22, 2012 | Category : Editorial | Views : 27
We are a voracious rice-eating people. The national staple had been passed on to us by our ancestors long before Spain colonized the country. Rice is the main source of our daily carbohydrate intake. In fact, just to supplement local production, we are importing rice – some 300,000 metric tons... Read more
Published : Monday May 21, 2012 | Category : Editorial | Views : 49
By : People's Journal
The power-point presentation made by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales before the Senate last Monday must have surely been a riveting spectacle to television viewers watching the proceedings of the ongoing impeachment trial. To ordinary folks, the litany of 82 foreign currency accounts and some 423 banking transactions allegedly involving $12 million... Read more
Published : Sunday May 20, 2012 | Category : Editorial | Views : 66
The Aquino administration’s economic mantra is an inclusive economic growth where no one is supposed to be left behind. It has a nice ring to it, but it is not an original idea. In fact, it is an avowed development policy first espoused by President Ramos’ vision of an economic... Read more
Published : Saturday May 19, 2012 | Category : Editorial | Views : 195
To insure promptness. That’s one definition of “tip”. If you are in the food and beverage service business, tipping is a customary gesture of appreciation or gratitude. It is offered, never demanded. It ceases to be a tip when private individuals or parties transacting with the government make the same... Read more
Published : Friday May 18, 2012 | Category : Editorial | Views : 92
By : People's Journal
The country has been rolled out of the intensive car unit, wheeled into the recovery room, and given a clean bill of health. But is it fiscally fit? The top executive of one of the country’s biggest banks – the Bank of the Philippine Islands – thinks so, saying that... Read more
