Too much executive power?
The Anti-Terrorism Council, currently headed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, can now designate individuals and organizations as terrorists without any hearing, as long as it sees “probable cause” that they commit, attempt to commit, or are part of a conspiracy to commit acts defined and penalized as terrorism under Sections 4 to 12 of the law.
While authorities stressed that designation does not automatically warrant an arrest, the lists of designated terrorists are published, giving those tagged 15 days to file an appeal.
Petitioners say this encroaches on judicial power, particularly the Supreme Court’s rule-making power. It also violates due process due to lack of parameters for designation.