Put graphic health warnings in vape packs, says DOH
By Gerard Naval
THE Department of Health (DOH) yesterday reminded manufacturers to start using graphic health warnings (GHW) in the packaging of their vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine, as well as novel tobacco products beginning May 12.
In an advisory, the DOH said the GHW templates shall be implemented beginning next month in the packaging of the said products.
“As per the DOH AO 2022-0047, the new first set of graphic health warnings (GHW) templates for vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products, and novel tobacco products shall be in full effect on May 12, 2024,” said the DOH.
Under Republic Act (RA) No.11900, the application of GHW is required in vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine, as well as novel tobacco products.
The law mandates the DOH to produce templates for the effective implementation and application of the GHWs on such products.
The DOH urged the public to report violations of the policy on GHWs in packaging.
Violations may be reported via https://bit.ly/VapeViolationsReporting or to the Department of Trade and Industry via consumercare@dti.gov.ph.
Under RA No. 11900, the penalties for violations of the law by manufacturers, importers, distributors, or retailers are a fine of P2 million up to P5 million; imprisonment of not more than six years; revoking/canceling of permits and licenses; the immediate recall, ban, or seizure by BIR; and deportation of guilty foreign national officer.
852 to take Shariáh bar exams: SC
BY Ashzel Hachero
THE Supreme Court yesterday said 852 individuals will take the Shariáh bar examinations on April 28 and May 2 this year.
Associate Justice Maria Filomena Singh, the chairperson of the Shariáh Bar Examinations Committee, said there were 906 applicants but only 852 complied with the requirements.
Of the 852, Singh said 575 will take the online exams at the Ateneo de Davao University while 200 will take the tests at the Up Economics Building in Diliman, Quezon City.
The rest of the examinees will take the tests manually at the UP Malcolm Theater.
The SC originally set the examinations last February 25 and 28 but rescheduled it in anticipation of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and to allow prospective examinees additional time to prepare the requirements and to review.
Among the subjects to be tackled during the examinations are Persons, Family Relations and Property; and Jurisprudence, Customary Laws, Procedure in Shari’ah Courts; and Succession, Wills and Adjudication and Settlement of Estate.
The Shari’ah Bar examinations are administered to allow Muslim professionals to qualify and practice before the Shari’ah Courts in the Philippines constituted under Presidential Decree 1083, or the Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines.
The Shari’ah courts are courts of justice that have original jurisdiction over cases involving violations of Presidential Decree 1083.
SC: Immunity of ADB officials limited to official acts
BY Ashzel Hachero
THE Supreme Court has ruled that the immunity granted to officials and personnel of international organizations, such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), extends only to acts done in their official capacities.
In an en banc decision dated April 16, 2024, the magistrates affirmed the dismissal of the complaint for damages filed by Matthew Westfall against ADB official Carmela Locsin and others in March 2017.
Westfall is the husband of GMA Network director Laura Jimenez-Westfall and the daughter of one of the television network’s founders, Menardo Jimenez.
Court records showed that Westfall applied for the position of ADB Technical Advisor but was not selected. He later claimed the statements made in the Panel Notes and Interview Report by Locsin and other members of the ADB Screening Committee were defamatory and damaging to his professional reputation.
This prompted Westfall to file a complaint for damages before the Makati City Regional Trial Court.
But the RTC dismissed his complaint, citing the fact that Locsin and the other respondents enjoyed functional immunity since the acts complained were done in an official capacity.
The RTC ruling was later upheld by the Court of Appeals, prompting Westfall to elevate the case to the High Court.
In a resolution dated April 27, 2022, the High Court held that before applying immunity, courts must first conduct a factual inquiry to determine if the act was done in the performance of official duties.
Since this was not done thoroughly by the CA and the RTC, the High Court remanded the case to the RTC for further proceedings.
This led to Locsin filing a motion for partial reconsideration, arguing there was no need to remand the case to the RTC.
In its latest ruling, the SC, through Associate Justice Rodil Zalameda, partially granted the motion and held that the complaint for damages against Locsin and the other members of the ADB Screening Committee be dismissed since the “subject acts were done in their official capacities and thus covered by the functional immunity granted to them as ADB officials.”
In its ruling, the High Court also expounded on the different kinds of immunities, specifically the scope of those enjoyed by international organizations and their personnel.
It said that international organizations enjoy almost absolute, if not absolute, immunity to protect their affairs from political pressure or control by the host country and prevent local courts from exercising jurisdiction over them.
However, the High Court held that personnel of international organizations are entitled to immunity only for acts performed in their official capacity.
“They enjoy functional immunity or only that necessary to exercise the organization’s functions and fulfill its purposes. Immunity does not apply to their private acts, crimes, and those acts contrary to law,” the SC said, adding that courts should assess the application of immunity on a case-to-case basis.
The High Court has yet to release the full copy of the en banc decision on the case.
Air Force to join Australia-hosted air combat drill
BY VICTOR REYES
THE Philippine Air Force (PAF) will be sending six of its FA-50 fighter aircraft to Australia in July to participate in a multilateral air combat exercise dubbed “Pitch Black.”
Air Force spokesperson Col. Maria Consuelo Castillo said it is the first time the PAF will be sending its planes to an “international military exercise outside the Philippines.”
Castillo said the biennial exercise is meant to improve the interoperability of participating air forces. The last exercise, she said, involved 40 nations but not all them sent aircraft.
In the 2022 iteration of Pitch Black, Castillo said, the PAF merely sent personnel to be observers.
“Our (aircraft) participation in the Pitch Black will be the first ever. This is a milestone event. The Pitch Black will be happening from July up to the first few days of August… This time, there will be actual participation of our aircraft,” she said.
“The plan is to send six aircraft, FA-50s. But of course, we have to send in also our (C-130) cargo aircraft to be able to transport all the support personnel and equipment,” she added.
Castillo said the participation of their aircraft in the exercise is a “big thing for the Air Force because it means that we are really developing our capabilities to engage in such international exercises.”
Asked if the Air Force is sending aircraft to other international exercises, she said, “Hopefully, this is just the beginning.”
Castillo said PAF will still have enough aircraft to conduct defense missions if the six FA-50s are sent to Australia.
“Definitely, we still have remaining aircraft to cover our air defense mission in case,” said Castillo.
The Air Force acquired 12 FA-50s from the Korea Aerospace Industries for 18.9 billion, under the AFP modernization program. The delivery of the aircraft began in 2015 and was completed in 2017.
Agri camp for youth inmates to rise in Pampanga – BuCor
BY ASHZEL HACHERO
THE Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) yesterday inked an agreement with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU) for the construction of an “agricultural camp” for the confinement of children in conflict with the law (CICL).
The agreement was signed among BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr., DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and PASU president Dr. Anita David.
The signing ceremonies was held at the Haven for Girls in Magalang, Pampanga.
Catapang said the construction and management of the agri-camp will be part of the CICL rehabilitation program in the province, which includes sustainable agriculture covering various aspects of farming.
Aside from the agri-camp, Catapang said the agreement would also pave the way for collaborative research and development on agricultural production, community-based literacy and rehabilitation programs, creation of techno-village with haven for women and CICLs, and skills training for them.
“We would also like to put up an agri-camp like this in Iwahig, Palawan which boasts of a 28,000 hectare lot,” Catapang said, addingn that “we hope to replicate this in other areas as well.”
The Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF) is the site of the pilot implementation of the BuCor’s Reformation Initiative for Sustainable Environment (RISE) for agro-tourism and agro-aquaculture.
Under Republic Act 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, a child in conflict with the law may, after conviction and upon order of the court, be made to serve his or her sentence in an agricultural camp and other training facilities established, maintained, supervised and controlled by BuCor, in coordination with the DSWD, in lieu of confinement in a regular penal facility,
Catapang said their data showed that as of March 31 this year, there are 39 inmates aged 18 years old and below, and 405 prisoners aged 19 to 21 years old, out of the 52,820 inmates confined in the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City and six other BuCor-operated prison and penal farms nationwide.
Nueva Ecija’s fuel consumption breached
P100M in 2023, 52% higher than in 2022
BY Peter Tabingo
WHEN government auditors reviewed the Fuel, Oil, and Lubricant Expense account of the provincial government of Nueva Ecija the past year, it found that the figure hit P100.605 million as of December 31, 2023.
This was a 52 percent increase equivalent to P34.75 million from the 2022 consumption of P65.86 million.
“The noted significant rise in consumption may be attributed to weakness in internal control, lapses in monitoring and recording, and non-strict compliance with the requirements in COA Circular No. 77-61,” the audit team said.
The said circular requires full documentation before a driver of an agency-owned motor vehicle is allowed to draw fuel or lubricant from the storage.
In the case of Nueva Ecija province, it maintains a fuel supply storage at the Provincial Motor Pool located in Barangay Caalibangbangan, Cabanatuan City which is managed by the Provincial General Services Office (PGSO).
Auditors who reviewed the operations of the storage tank found deficiencies in the submission of documents for fuel transactions.
While existing rules require six documents, the attendant of Nueva Ecija’s fuel storage only submitted three — the driver’s trip ticket, a monthly summary of delivery and consumption of fuel, and a report of fuel consumption.
Left out were the daily gas issue record, the requisition and issue voucher (RIV), and the summary of daily totals of RIV or an equivalent document.
The audit team stressed that the obligation to prepare RIVs and the daily summaries was assigned to the control officer or clerk for motors.
To validate that there is no wastage or improper drawing of fuel, the RIV summary has to show the same figures as the gasoline/fuel control card held by the attendant.
In the absence of complete documents, the audit team said the substantial increase raises questions.
“The noted lapses by the management in the submission of the above-mentioned required documents raise doubts on the propriety of issuance and efficient utilization of fuel, as well as the accuracy of the reported expenses associated with fuel consumption,” the Commission on Audit said.
In an exit conference between provincial government executives and members of the audit team, the PGSO said assigned personnel are undergoing orientation on the maintenance and control of fuel inventory and proper documentation.
However, the COA still recommended that the LGU should substantiate the “reasonableness and accuracy” of the quantity and amount appearing in both the fuel consumption report and the inventory report.
Aussie-American sex offender barred from entering PH
BY Ashzel Hachero
A 54-year-old Australian-American wanted by US authorities for various sex offenses was barred from entering the country by the Bureau of Immigration.
Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said Robert David Penton was intercepted by immigration officers when he arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Brisbane, Australia last April 14.
Tansingco said Fenton was barred entry after his name prompted a positive hit in the Interpol derogatory system which showed that he is the subject of a red notice for sex crimes committed in the US.
“He was immediately issued an exclusion order by the BI personnel on duty and placed in the immigration blacklist for being an undesirable alien,” Tansingco said, adding the agency deported him last April 23.
BI Interpol Unit acting chief Jaime Bustamante said Fenton is facing aggravated indecent assault charges against a minor, as well as involuntary deviant sexual intercourse, corruption of minors and statutory sexual assault against a person less than 16 years of age.
Early this month, immigration officers at NAIA also barred entry to three Americans who are registered sex offenders.
Under the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, foreigners convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude are automatically barred from entering the country.’
In 2023, the BI barred from entering the country 171 foreigners convicted of sex crimes or are wanted for such cases.
Immigration agents also apprehended multiple foreign pedophiles in the country.
E-commerce workers, 14 others seen as ’emerging jobs’
By Gerard Naval
FRONTLINE e-commerce workers lead the list of 15 jobs seen by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) as emerging jobs in the country for the next two years.
Based on its Jobs and Labor Market Forecasts, the BLE disclosed the list of jobs it believes would boost employment creation due to increased economic activities.
“It was mainly sourced from a mix of primary and secondary sources, discussing four main components, namely, the demand side, supply side, employment facilitation programs, and development plans,” said BLE.
Aside from frontline e-commerce workers, also seen as boosting employment are loan and mortgage experts, health care support staff, business development and sales professionals, and experts in workplace diversity.
Others on the list are digital marketing professionals, nurses, education professionals, digital content creators, and professional and personal coaches.
Completing the top 15 are specialized engineers, mental health specialists, user experience professionals, data science specialists, and artificial intelligence practitioners.
Given the labor market outlook, the BLE called on the country’s workforce to ensure that they have the skills needed for such job opportunities.
“To fully benefit from these developments, it is crucial to focus on skills development,” said the agency.
“Ensuring the availability of a skilled workforce will be essential for individuals to take on job roles in these emerging sectors,” BLE added.
Military ready for retaliatory attacks by BIFF-Karialan faction
BY VICTOR REYES
MILITARY units in Central Mindanao are on high alert for anticipated retaliatory attacks from the terrorist group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF)-Karialan faction.
Lt. Col. Dennis Almorato, spokesman of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said soldiers are prepared for attacks from the men of slain BIFF-Karialan faction leader Mohiden Animbang, alias Kagui Karialan.
Animbang, his brother Saga who is the BIFF’s operations chief, and 10 other BIFF members died in a clash with Army soldiers in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town in Maguindanao del Sur last Monday.
The clash also left seven soldiers wounded.
“Most likely they will retaliate,” said Almorato, adding that last Monday night, BIFF-Karialan faction members harassed a military detachment in the nearby town of Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, also in Maguindanao del Sur.
Almorato said the armed men opened fire at the detachment, using rifles, but withdrew when soldiers returned fire. No one was reported injured on both sides.
“We are prepared, all our detachments are prepared, that’s why no one was harmed during their harassment (of the detachment),” said Almorato.
“That is their strategy,” Almorato also said, adding the group is known to retaliate if they suffer losses at the hands of the military.
The BIFF-Karialan faction is among several terrorist organizations operating in Mindanao, including the Abu Sayyaf and the Daulah Islamiyah-Maute Group.
The group is blamed for numerous atrocities in central Mindanao, including bombings and extortion.
“As of now, we are on a very high state of alert here because we are expecting retaliatory attacks from them. But we are very much ready,” said Almorato.
Senate probe sought on ‘unethical’ pharma-doctors perks scheme
BY RAYMOND AFRICA
SEN. Joseph Victor Ejercito wants the Senate to open an inquiry into the reported “unethical” practice of pharmaceutical firms of giving perks to encourage doctors to prescribe their drug products to their patients.
Ejercito, who is the vice chairman of the Committee on Health, said the practice can be considered a “conflict of interest.”
“We will look into this kung may violation sa ethical standards,” he said in a press conference, adding he is now reviewing the draft resolution which he will file next week once Congress resumes its regular sessions.
Ejercito said he has likewise learned that some doctors have also been getting incentives to join health-related neworking firms.
Ejercito said that months before the alleged perks scheme came out in the media, he was approached by a number of supposed “whistleblowers” from pharmaceutical companies who disclosed the practice.
“Shareholders are doctors. They import quality drugs, mostly for hypertension, diabetes, and others. Conflict of interest ang complaint ng mga (were the complaints of the) whistleblowers because the doctors prescribing the drugs are also the ones who import them,” he added.
The whistleblowers also supposedly said that pharmaceutical companies shoulder the travel expenses of doctors as part of their incentives.
Ejercito said the practice does not help in lowering the prices of medicines since the pharmaceutical firms jack up their prices to defray the expenses that they incur for the doctors’ incentives.
“Our aim is to make sure our doctors will live by their ethical standards. Malaki ang kita and we are adding burden to the Filipinos. There are luxury cars and (other) items that are given as incentives to those who will become members of the pharmaceutical companies,” he also said.
Dr. Anthony Leachon has earlier disclosed that some doctors are allegedly involved in schemes with pharmaceutical companies who offer perks in exchange of prescribing the medicines and products of the company.
Leachon said the companies allegedly recruit doctors to prescribe their products even if a patient does not really need them for treatment.
The Department of Health has released a department circular reminding doctors and other health professionals that accepting gifts from pharmaceutical businesses is unethical.
On Monday, the health department said it has started looking into the matter.
‘Foreign fugitives using POGOs as legal fronts for criminal acts’
BY RAYMOND AFRICA
SENATE deputy minority leader Risa Hontiveros yesterday slammed the government for its slow action in closing down Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hubs in the country, which she said are being used by fugitive foreigners as legal cover for their crimes.
“POGOs are hotspots for fugitives, lungga ng mga kriminal. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit hanggang ngayon hindi mapalayas nang tuluyan ang industriyang ito. Sino ba ang protector ng mga ito? Bakit parang hirap na hirap ang gobyerno na kumilos? (POGOs are hotspots for fugitives, a haven for criminals. I cannot understand why the government cannot act against them. Who are protecting the POGOs? Why is the government dragging its foot in acting against them?),” asked Hontiveros after she and Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian conducted an ocular inspection on the POGO hub raided by authorities in Bamban, Tarlac on March 13.
She noted that when the Bamban POGO center was raided, police enforcers caught six fugitives were arrested while operating “love scams and cryptocurrency scams” inside the Zun Yuan Technology Inc.
She said the Zun Yuan hub is similar to other scam facilities which were previously raided by authorities, a clear indication that they are being used by foreign fugitives to run their illegal activities.
“Ginagamit talaga bilang legal cover ang POGOs ng mga sindikatong scammer. At kahit pa legal ang POGO, hindi ikagaganda ng Pilipinas ang pag-welcome sa mga sugalang ito. Simula pa lang, nakita na natin na mas pinalala lang ng mga POGOs ang mga sakit ng ating Lipunan (POGOs are used as legal cover of scamming syndicates. And even if POGOs are legal, they did not do any good to the country. We saw from the very start that these POGOs contribute more to the social ills of the country),” she added.
Two Senate committees — the Ways and Means and Public Order — have held hearings on the state of POGOs in the country.
On September last year, the Committee on Ways and Means chaired by Gatchalian recommended the immediate shutdown of the POGO industry and proposed a three-month phaseout of all POGO hubs operating in the country.
However, majority of the committee members did not sign the committee report as they were against the immediate action against the POGO industry, saying they prefer a gradual stoppage of legitimate businesses so that the Filipinos working in the gaming industry will have enough time to find new jobs.
The Committee on Public Order, which is chaired by Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, has yet to come up with its report. Dela Rosa has said that he supports the phaseout of the POGO industry but it should be done in a span of two to three years.
PNP reviewing cancellation of Quiboloy’s gun permits
BY VICTOR REYES
THE recommendation of the PNP Firearms and Explosives (FEO) to revoke the firearms registration and license to own and possess firearms (LTOPF) issued to Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) Pastor Apollo Quiboloy is now being reviewed by PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil.
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said Marbil is expected to come out with his decision this week.
During the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum, Fajardo said said the permits and LTOPF issued to Quiboloy covers 19 firearms.
Fajardo said the law allows the cancellation and revocation of firearms registration and LTOPF of gun holders facing capital offenses.
“Henceforth, the FEO recommended the revocation of the LTOPF and registration of firearms of Pastro Quiboloy and one of his co-accused (Ingrid Canada),” she said.
“We are just waiting for the signature of our chief PNP… Our chief PNP is studying it, the chief PNP has legal officers (to aid him in the review),” she also said.
“Let us wait for [the] signature of our chief PNP and hopefully, within the week, the decision of the chief PNP will come out,” she added.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women and Children investigating Quiboloy’s alleged abuses against former KOJC members, has been pressing the PNP to revoke the pastor’s gun permits, which she said were being used by his supposed private army to protect him.
A Davao City and a Pasig City trial courts have separately issued warrants of arrest against Quiboloy for sexual abuses and human trafficking charges, respectively.
The Senate has also ordered the arrest of Quiboloy for refusing to cooperate in the Senate investigation on his alleged sexual abuses and human trafficking activities.
The House of Representatives also has a standing arrest order against the religious leader.
Fajardo said police operations are ongoing to locate and serve the arrest warrants against Quiboloy.
She said, though, that the PNP playing a secondary role and is merely supporting the National Bureau of Investigation, which she said is the lead agency in locating and arresting the self-proclaimed son of God.
Fajardo said there are no indications that Quiboloy has already left the country.
Sultan Kudarat ex-mayor walks on SALN violation charge
BY Peter Tabingo
THE Sandiganbayan Sixth Division has acquitted former Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat mayor Abubacar Pendatun Maulana of a criminal charge alleging that he made misrepresentations in his 2014 Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) by under-declaring the value of a motor vehicle.
In its 18-page decision issued on April 23, 2024, the anti-graft court held that the prosecution based its case on a bogus Deed of Sale that contained several errors.
Likewise, it declared that the evidence presented against the defendant was insufficient to establish his supposed attempt to conceal unexplained wealth.
Based on the information filed by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2019, Maulana was accused of falsely declaring that his GMC Yukon Van was only purchased at P750,000. Prosecutors said the actual value of the vehicle was P2 million.
The former mayor was indicted for violation of Section 11 of RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
During the trial, prosecutors presented a Deed of Sale dated July 3, 2013 showing that the amount of P2 million was paid for the Model 2002 Yukon van.
However, Maulana showed another Deed of Sale dated July 4, 2013 involving the same vehicle but the purchase price was only P750,000.
On inspection, the Sandiganbayan said the Deed of Sale relied on by the prosecution was most likely a fabricated document.
It pointed out that while the same vehicle was identified by the correct License Plate, the July 3, 2013 deed could not be found on the records of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court on the notarial reports of lawyer Joel Gordola.
The dubious deed of sale also contained the wrong chassis number of the Yukon Van, aside from identifying Maulana as a vendor or seller rather than a vendee or buyer.
“All of the foregoing circumstances cast doubt on the authenticity of the Deed of Sale dated July 3, 2013. Apart from it, the prosecution failed to offer any other proof that Maulana bought the vehicle for P2,000,000,” the court pointed out.
At the same time, it noted that by declaring the vehicle in his 2014 SALN, Maulana showed there was no “malicious intention on his part to conceal his wealth and properties.”
“Maulana had bank savings and personal and real properties that may cover the cost of the vehicle. He was also engaged in the business of selling copra and palay. Hence, there was no apparent intention to conceal any disproportionately accumulated wealth on his part,” the Sandiganbayan said.
SC on terror law:
Find balance between state interest, people’s rights
BY ASHZEL HACHERO
CHIEF Justice Alexander Gesmundo said courts must strike a balance between the interest and protection of the State and the fundamental rights of the people, in implementing the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
Gesmundo made the statement when he spoke before participants to the two-day Training and Capacity Building for the Implementation of the Rules on Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and Related Laws, which ended yesterday.
“Courts must strike the ever delicate balance between two cardinal interests,” Gesmundo said in his keynote speech, adding that the direction of that balance must be “determined by what the government must do to protect itself vis-í -vis the constitutional limitations imposed by its own people.”
He said government should not and cannot disregard the fundamental rights of the people in the implementation of the anti-terror law had been challenged by over two dozen petitions before the High Court upheld its legality.
“Thus, it becomes imperative that in responding to threats of terrorism, the state cannot be overzealous and casually disregard these rights. On the other hand, our courts cannot be overcautious and allow unrestricted exercise of rights which can easily cover and disguise terroristic acts,” he added.
Gesmundo also emphasized the need for sufficient training and capacity building of justices, judges and court employees on the workings of the anti-terror law.
“This is due to the extraordinary nature of terrorism and terrorism financing cases where justices and judges are presented with peculiar pieces of evidence which require specialized knowledge and expertise,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to development partners such as The Asia Foundation and the Australian government for their support for the two-day training. He mentioned a study visit to Australia in June 2023, during which Philippine magistrates participated in knowledge-sharing on the best practices in handling anti-terrorism cases.
Earlier, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the issuance by the SC of the rules on the implementation of the anti-terrorism law struck the right balance between the competing demands of ensuring the protection of individual and collective rights of the people and the duty of the State to ensure peace and security.
The rules cover all applications and petitions related to detention without warrants of arrest, surveillance and freeze orders, travel restrictions, designations, proscriptions and other court issuances meted out in the application of the anti-terror law.
It also applies to all individuals or groups who seek judicial relief from their designation as terrorist or terrorist group by the Anti-Terrorism Council and freeze order by the Anti-Money Laundering Council on their respective bank accounts.
Prior to its passage in 2020, the anti-terrorism law was widely contested by civil society, human rights and media groups largely due to its loose definition of terrorism, raising fears that dissent and legitimate expression of opposition could be unjustly labeled as terrorism by law enforcement authorities.
