Political cost of abusing anti-terror law very high

- Abusing the Human Security Act will be very costly on the part of an administration whose dismal human rights record has caused international embarrassment. Manipulating the military to advance political ends has proven to be very costly, especially for this administration, Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros said.

Philippines-Akbayan Party-list warned the government against using the Human Security Act to harass the opposition.

- The administration should learn from the 'Hello Garci' controversy, which has catalyzed the most serious challenge to its existence and legitimacy and galvanized dissent within the military establishment. The most serious threat that this government faces doesn't come from terrorism; it stems from its decision to exploit the military to cheat during the 2004 elections."

- The political cost could extend up to the presidential polls in 2010. In the same manner that the 'Hello Garci' controversy tainted the administration slate during the 2007 midterm elections, the HSA would be the administration's kiss of death in 2010, Rep. Hontiveros said.

Akbayan Chair Emeritus Etta Rosales, who was part of the bicameral committee that watered down the anti-terror bill from its original state, admitted that it is still open to abuses.

- The fact that they are rushing to implement it sans the implementing rules and regulation betrays the intention of the government. There is no doubt that they wish to use it to harass the opposition. The concern that it would worsen extrajudicial killings and involuntary disappearances is not unfounded, Rosales said.

But abusing the HSA could backfire, Rosales warned. She said that Akbayan's legal team has filed a petition before the Supreme Court to question the constitutionality of the anti-terror law.

- The government should not preempt attempts to seek judicial intervention on the constitutionality of the HSA by manipulating its vagueness. It would be prudent for the government to side with human rights and civil liberties, otherwise it exposes itself anew to embarrassment and rebuke from the High Court, she said, referring to several Supreme Court rulings that reprimanded the government for its draconian measures.