After the government imposed a lockdown over much of the country, the protesters defiantly held one of the first rallies to denounce the bill they fear would violate the people’s civil and political rights instead of going after real terrorists.
MANILA — Showbiz personalities took to social media their dismay over the draconian provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Bill, which seeks to amend the Human Security Act of 2007.
Former Ms. Universe Catriona Gray and Pia WurtzBach posted on their Instagram accounts and used the hashtag #JunkTerrorBill.
CATRIONA GRAY:
There is so much happening in the world and in our nation right now, and I know alot of us want to just tune out because it all gets a bit overwhelming. But please, dont allow that to be the reason we revert into silence and turn a blind eye. We need to stay engaged because this is where our voices count. So let’s help each other by creating spaces that help us keep each other informed and help us understand what’s going on. I’ve taken the time to research and digest information and come to my own conclusions and I implore you all to do the same. I’ve created an IG story highlight with some resources. I’m not here to influence you to think a certain way, but I hope I can influence you to think for yourself. #JunkTerrorBill
I’ve been overwhelmed with emotion lately and I’ve been struggling to put it into words.. I may not always have the right words to say but I can’t deny how this makes me feel. One thing I know for sure is I want to keep learning. I want to keep growing. And I want to see and be part of a change. Stop hate, injustice and racism. #BlackOutTuesday #JunkTerrorBill
“An infringement upon our most basic human rights,” is how Frankie Pangilinan, public personality and daughter of mega-star Sharon Cuneta and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan described the bill.
FRANKIE PANGILINAN:
even tweeting any thoughts against the government can, and likely will, be considered an ‘act of terrorism’ under this bill. it’s an infringement upon our most basic human rights. https://twitter.com/”>May 30, 2020
On Monday, June 1, 2020, Duterte certified the bill as urgent. In just two days, the House of Representatives approved the bill on its third and final reading.
Agot Isidro, a vocal celebrity-activist said, “Only cowards are afraid of dissent.”
Kobe Paras, basketball star and son of comedian Benjie Paras, reiterated that fighting for your rights is not a crime and urged influencers and other individuals to use their voice and stand up for what is right.
More and more celebrities, artists and influencers have used social media platforms to show support in the campaign for the scrapping the said bill. The call #JunkTerrorBillNow has become a trending topic on Twitter.
A post shared by Angel Locsin (@therealangellocsin) on
K BROSAS:
Kasi nga po walang masakyaaaaaan! Kc walang plano na mass transportation keme, at kelangan na nila mag work kc wala NG choice karamihan kahit sandamakmak pa ang covid19 na yaaaaaan! Bakit parang sila pa May kasalanan?? Also https://twitter.com/”>https://twitter.com/”> June 3, 2020
It’s scary to think that we’re so close to living in a world where freedom of speech is illegal. Where freedom of press can be ruled out as terrorism. This is our reality…
Si Elmer Cordero, 72 taong gulang, jeepney driver at kasapi ng PISTON ay isa sa anim na hinuli at dinetine matapos ang isinagawang busina para sa #BalikPasada ng mga tsuper sa may Monumento sa Caloocan noong Hunyo 2 dahil umano sa paglabag sa social distancing. Hanggang ngayon, detinido pa rin sa holding area ng Lungsod […]
ABS-CBN workers join the Black Friday calling for the renewal of the media outfit’s franchise, which is set to expire in March this year. (Photo by Carlo Manalansan / Bulatlat)
“ABS-CBN’s return to the Lopezes was done in accordance with the law, and that is our truth.”
MANILA– Broadcasting giant ABS-CBN continues its fight for franchise renewal as representatives of the company defended the network against several allegations during a series of hearings at the House of the Representatives.
On Monday’s joint hearing of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises and Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability on ABS-CBN’s franchise, ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak belied the claim that the Lopezes unjustly reclaimed the network after the end of Martial Law, and stressed that the Lopezes had been the true owners of the network before it was taken over in the first place.
Katigbak added that the Lopez family’s alleged unjust reclamation of ABS-CBN has been the ‘most hurtful accusation.’ “ABS-CBN’s return to the Lopezes was done in accordance with the law, and that is our truth.”
A day after former dictator Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law on Sept. 21, 1972, soldiers stormed the ABS-CBN station and forcibly shut it down. It was only after Marcos was toppled through people’s uprising that the Lopezes regained ownership of ABS-CBN.
Katigbak also answered Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta’s claim that the network’s issuance of Philippine Depository Receipts to foreigners violates the Constitution. He said that the Securities and Exchange Commission already confirmed the legality of the network’s PDRs.
He also said that GMA Network, much like ABS-CBN, has also issued PDRs but was not questioned during their franchise renewal.
“A PDR is not a share or stock in ABS-CBN. It’s clear that PDR holders can’t vote on anything that has to do with running ABS-CBN,” Katigbak explained.
He also argued against the claim that ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal goes against the Constitution, and that no franchise shall go over its 50-years period.
“It does state that no franchise shall go over fifty years. But it did not state that the company’s life should be limited to 50 years. We are still allowed to apply for our franchise to be renewed,” Katigbak said.
He then stated that multiple networks have been operating for more than 50 years, including ABS-CBN’s competitor GMA, who has been in operation for 70 years now.
As to the dual citizenship of ABS-CBN Corporation’s Chairman Emeritus Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III, Katigbak said that the latter is a Filipino citizen. He provided the legislators a copy of the document from the Department of Justice dated 2001, granting the request for recognition as a Filipino citizen of Lopez.
The ABS-CBN CEO also cited Section 1, Article 4 of the 1935 Constitution which states that those whose fathers are citizens of the Philippines are recognized as citizens of the Philippines.
Several lawmakers raised questions regarding Lopez’s dual citizenship, stating that the Philippine Constitution prohibits foreigners from owning media companies.
Lopez also joined the congressional hearing, June 3, to defend the network’s new franchise bid from allegations of foreign ownership, after his U.S. citizenship was reported to the committee.
Lopez, whose allegiance to the Philippines is being questioned, said that the lawmakers should look past the technicalities and look at his 35-year record.
“I have been committed to the people of this country. It is a trust that has been passed on to me by my father and by his father before him,” Gabby said.
Atty. Mario Bautista, Lopez’s lawyer, also said that the use of foreign passport does not indicate that a person is not a Filipino citizen. Bautista also said that Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor’s argument referred to dual allegiance and not dual citizenship.
He also added that Defensor’s argument on the prohibition of dual citizenship is a law covering public officers only and not citizens like Lopez.
Lopez also said that if it came down to conflict of interest, he would give up his U.S. citizenship in a minute.
“I will live and die in the Philippines. I know in my heart I’m a Filipino,” he said.
Media groups have denounced the cease and desist order against the ABS-CBN on May 5, calling the shutdown as the “biggest blow on press freedom” during the health crisis.
Barangay captain Diony Seromines, 47, was killed by unknown elements on his way home from being called to a police operation’s drug entrapment area in his village, after he allegedly refused to sign a paper as a witness to the operations in Brgy. Kawas, Alabel, Sarangani on May 29. Killed before Seromines was killed was […]
The recent pronouncement of the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs last June 2, 2020 on the suspension of the planned termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippine government and the government of the United States (an agreement allowing the U.S. military to conduct joint exercises and operations in the Philippines) exhibited the continuing puppetry of the US-Duterte fascist regime.
This is not a complete turn-around of the Duterte pronouncement last January 21, 2020, when he directly spoke of terminating the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States, but rather just part of a melodramatic propaganda of Duterte.
The US-Duterte fascist regime continues to bring a damaging anti-poor atmosphere of governance, notwithstanding the continuing violence inflicted by the military-nature of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), influencing strategies for war. Remember the destructive Marawi siege? The continuing ‘counter-insurgency’ campaigns displacing communities in the hinterlands? The non-interest and non-committal of the Duterte government in the pursuance of the peace process between the GRP and the NDFP?
The U.S.-Duterte fascist regime cooperates in the ruthless war-on-drugs and war-on-farmers through the military modernization program, enabling the 35,000 deaths in the Philippines—still death under investigation (DUI). In 2016, the U.S. government helped kickstart the launching of the Duterte war-on-drugs by committing the $32 Million support for training and services.
The US-Duterte fascist regime allows the continued killings of journalists, activists and ordinary Filipinos. Surprisingly, the state forces (AFP/PNP) remains muted in the number of deaths; with information linking themselves with the unending executions.
The US-Duterte fascist regime dictates the power-play games in the West Philippine Sea issue, at the cost of the sovereignty of the Philippine republic.
The ultimate logic of the smooth passage of the Anti-Terrorism Law in Congress is to curtail any resistance on the vested interests of the US-Duterte fascist regime. Read our statement.
The US-Duterte fascist regime must be opposed at all costs! Down with the US-Duterte Fascist Dictatorship!
The House of Representatives approved House 6875 or the Anti-Terrorism Bill that would repeal the Human Security Act on third and final reading today, with 173 voting yes, 31 no and 29 abstain. The measure, an exact copy of the approved version in Senate, now only needs the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte who certified […]
