Negros lawmakers urged to withdraw support for anti-terror bill

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Six congressional representatives from the province of Negros Occidental are being urged to withdraw their “yes” vote for the anti-terror bill.

The six are Gerardo Valmayor Jr. (1st District), Rafael Cueva (2nd District) Juliet Marie Ferrer (4th District), Ma. Lourdes Arroyo (5th District), Greg Gasataya (Bacolod), and Joseph Stephen Paduano (Abang Lingkod Partylist).

The campaign urging the 6 solons to withdraw their votes was launched on change.org over the weekend.

The bill was passed by the House of Representatives a week ago with 173 affirmative votes, 31 negative votes, and 29 abstention.

Third District Congressman Francisco Benitez voted against the bill.

Cueva said those who oppose the anti-terror bill can bring the matter to the Supreme Court so its constitutionality or legality can be settled.

Cueva further said he voted for the anti-terror bill because he believes there is a need to enhance the present laws against terrorism.

He added though that he has personal reservations on the constitutionality of the other provisions of the proposed measure.

Paduano, who is listed as among the authors of the bill, said he will not withdraw his vote.

He said he believes that the Human Security Act needs to be amended because it has no teeth.

Gasataya earlier said he voted yes but with reservations on some “matters for the consideration of the Bicameral Conference Committee or in the promulgation of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this legislation.”