Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima has filed two resolutions urging the House of Representatives to investigate claims that the country’s counterterrorism and terrorism financing laws are being misused against critics and civil society organizations.
“Our objective is clear: to make sure our laws protect our people instead of suppressing dissent,” she said, warning that policies lose credibility when allegedly used to intimidate activists, youth leaders, humanitarian workers, and human rights defenders.
House Resolution No. 786 calls for a review of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, focusing on compliance with constitutional safeguards such as due process, free speech, peaceful assembly, privacy rights, and international human rights obligations.
House Resolution No. 787 seeks an inquiry into the enforcement of the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012, examining whether efforts have been improperly directed at civil society actors instead of high-risk money laundering and corruption networks.
The proposed inquiry would also assess safeguards including judicial oversight of asset-freezing orders, evidentiary standards, humanitarian exemptions, transparency mechanisms, and policies to prevent undue financial “de-risking.”
De Lima further criticized the continued detention of community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and lay worker Marielle Domequil, calling their more than six years in jail a blow to press freedom and civil liberties.
She said the denial of bail undermines media freedom and urged the dismissal of all charges against them.