Barbers confident Congress will pass anti-terror bill before adjournment

Sen. Robert Barbers expressed confidence yesterday that the anti-terrorism bill will be passed on third and final reading and be approved in the bicameral conference committee before Congress adjourns next month.

Barbers, chairman of the Senate committee on public order and illegal drugs, stressed the passage of the anti-terrorism bill into law is necessary to boost investor confidence in the country.

"I expect that the anti-terror bill (will) see smooth sailing once it is scheduled for amendments in the plenary deliberation. This will now usher the success of the peace and order program of the government towards economic recovery," he said.

Barbers said the anti-terrorism bill has been repeatedly mentioned by Senate President Franklin Drilon as one of the priority measures that must be passed under the 12th Congress.

As the principal author of the bill, Barbers said every provision has been simplified so as not to spark too much debate on certain issues.

The senator, however, expects that much should be debated on the issues of detention and imposition of the death penalty on certain crimes, which he described as "two contentious issues."

Barbers said a study and consideration of the various concerns, fears and questions on the proposal were made to address the issues of protecting the human rights of the accused.

"At the end of the day, we cannot abdicate our sworn duty to protect the Constitution and our democratic way of life, the very ideals that terrorists want to destroy," he said.

Barbers said that instead of defining terrorism, a term that was not defined in the United Nations (UN) resolution and laws of other nations, the anti-terror bill simply defined how terrorism can be committed.

Once the bill is enacted into law, Barbers said the measure will encourage more investors to come to the country. - Jose Rodel Clapano