ML party list Representative Leila de Lima is pressing Congress to scrutinize the government’s enforcement of the country’s anti terrorism laws following the denial of bail for journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and lay worker Marielle Domequil.
De Lima filed House Resolutions 786 and 787 seeking separate but parallel inquiries into the implementation of Republic Act 11479 or the Anti Terrorism Act of 2020 and Republic Act 10168 or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.
Her move directs the House Committee on Justice and the Committee on Human Rights to examine whether enforcement of these laws complies with constitutional guarantees, including due process and freedom of speech. The inquiry also aims to review the adequacy of institutional safeguards against abuse, including judicial oversight of asset freezing orders, evidentiary standards in terror financing prosecutions, and transparency and accountability mechanisms.
“Despite the noble intent of the law, reports of international human rights bodies cautioned that the ATA contains overly broad provisions and vague definitions that may be susceptible to abuse,” the resolution reads.
In a statement, De Lima described the continued detention of Cumpio and Domequil as a “serious setback in the fight for press freedom” and a “major blow to civil liberties.”
“We strongly condemn Cumpio and Domequil’s continued unjust detention and the relentless weaponization of counterterrorism and counter terrorism financing laws to silence dissent. In light of the highly questionable charges against them, and the many reported cases of human rights defenders, political activists, and other dissenters being unjustly accused, indicted, or charged under the Anti Terrorism Act and the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act, we have filed House Resolution Nos. 786 and 787 calling for a congressional inquiry into the implementation of these laws,” De Lima said.
In January, Cumpio and Domequil were found guilty of terror financing and sentenced to 12 to 18 years in prison. They were acquitted on a lesser weapons charge.
De Lima has long been associated with human rights advocacy and has previously faced criticism from security sector officials and political opponents over her positions on insurgency related policies and national security enforcement. She has consistently denied allegations linking her to unlawful groups.
By filing the resolutions, De Lima is seeking to reopen congressional oversight over laws she argues may be enabling overreach. The proposed inquiries, if taken up by the committees, would require agencies to account for how anti terrorism powers are being exercised and whether safeguards are sufficient to protect civil liberties.
