The Movement for Good Governance (MGG)

Open Letter to Senators and Congressmen

Regarding the Anti-Terrorism Bill

We are taxpayers. Beyond the taxes we pay, we endeavor to do our share in nation
building through promotion of good governance and speaking out when called for.
More than this, we directly engage in programs that address the pressing needs of
various sectors in society, together with many partners including national and local
governments and even some of you. We cover development gaps where we can, often
where government presence is wanting.

We therefore expect from government – and from those who govern us – as

much as we expect of ourselves.

We are thus greatly disappointed to see, in the context of the proposed Anti-Terror
Law and the manner it was passed, all the signs of a deep divide between you, our
representatives, and us, the governed. Sadly, concerned citizens have little chance to
participate in your deliberations and instead take to social media and the streets.

As it stands, this bill threatens our civil rights and creates an intimidating climate that
can inhibit the exercise of our Constitutionally-guaranteed rights to due process and
freedom of speech and assembly.

We protest! This bill speaks poorly of representative governance.

In your haste to pass the bill, you make your own constituents feel threatened and
undeserving of consultation. You say that much study has gone into the bill but you
dismiss the protests of a populace reeling from the Covid19 crisis and acutely aware of
the excesses committed by a government predisposed to weaponizing the Law.

Measures are needed for recovery, not repression.

Rest assured, we are equally concerned about the threat of terrorism, and the need
for effective measures to counter such threats. But what we see in your proposed bill is
an all-encompassing definition of “terrorism” with mindlessly defined acts that
authorities may interpret as terroristic in nature. Even our efforts in speaking out
against misgovernance or government abuses may now be labelled as “inciting to
sedition.”

If you are truly our representatives, please find time to consult your constituents
before deciding on needed legislation. You may yet see that there is no need for another
Law to fight terrorism. Instead, we strongly urge you to focus on measures to help our
nation and people recover from the current crisis. We do not need measures that add to
their burdens.

We urge you to reject the Anti-Terrorism Bill!

Signed, 3rd of June 2020.

Solita Collas Monsod, Chair Gus Lagman
Aivan Amit Gelene Lamarroza
Victorna Armilla Bertie Lim
Oscar Atendido Jose Raphael Limiac
George Barcelon Jess Lorenzo
Jay Carizo Guillermo Luz
Edna Co Juan Miguel Luz
Nieves Confesor Minie Manalese
Abelardo Cortez Darwin Mariano
Rafael Coscolluela Yoly Ong
Romeo David Ernesto Ordonez
Ben de Leon Erlito Pardo
Anna Maria de Leon Marilen Ramiro
Consuelo Doble Vic Ramos
Ed Dorotan Maria Lourdes Recente
Oyen Dorotan Teresita Roces-Santos
Rex Drilon Vergel Santos
Tonyboy Faraon John Silva
Veronica Fenix Antonio Torralba
Alfonso Gamboa Randy Tuano
Jason Gonzales Eric Velandria, SJ
Angelita Medel Gregorio Maria Fe Villamejor-Mendoza
Milwida Guevara Marilyn Villapando
Tanya Hamada Elise Zulueta
Jay Jalandoni Jaton Zulueta
Ching Jorge
Anjanette Juan