After the Anti-Terrorism Bill passed on third hearing, critics immediately raised their concerns about the bill which could be abused to encroach on one’s rights.
Apart from ordinary citizens, some popular personalities have also been very active in expressing their opinions. Kapamilya artists were the most active in expressing their opinions, with only a few Kapuso artists joining the debate.
Kapuso artist Janine Gutierrez asked her followers to #JunkAntiTerrorism Bill.
JUNK THE ANTI-TERRORISM BILL AND UPHOLD HUMAN RIGHTS! – Sign the Petition! https://t.co/puRUNF6IP3 via @ChangePilipinas
— JANINE (@janinegutierrez) June 1, 2020
Janine even tweeted her disappointment with how the government prioritized ‘urgent’ matters in this trying time, where a lot of people are starving and dying due to the pandemic, “Kaya naman palang kumilos ng mabilis. Sa dami ng kasalukuyang nagugutom at namamatay, ito ang ginawa nilang prayoridad. Ito ang ‘urgent.'”
Kaya naman palang kumilos ng mabilis. Sa dami ng kasalukuyang nagugutom at namamatay, ito ang ginawa nilang prayoridad. Ito ang "urgent". https://t.co/v0alLH8DMJ
— JANINE (@janinegutierrez) June 3, 2020
“It’s not too late. We condemn terrorism, but under this bill, even innocent civilians are in danger. E-mail your representatives and let them know your concerns about the Terror Bill here: http://junkterrorbill.netlify.app #junkterrorbill”
It's not too late. We condemn terrorism, but under this bill, even innocent civilians are in danger. E-mail your representatives and let them know your concerns about the Terror Bill here: https://t.co/zpSYJsurLL#junkterrorbill https://t.co/I3Xy9FRjhz
— JANINE (@janinegutierrez) June 7, 2020
Gabbi Garcia tweeted the same petition on promoting the #JunkTerrorBillNow.
#JunkTerrorBillNow SIGN PETITION HERE. https://t.co/ooCZ4kpsUU
— Gabbi Garcia ♡ (@gabbi) June 3, 2020
She also agreed on a video showing the selective justice that the government has, particularly when they arrested University of the Philippines Cebu students who protested against the Anti-Terrorism Bill but followed protocols, but allowed a government official hold a birthday party without following social distancing.
“Ayun na nga. *Upside-down face* di parin ba kayo galit *Upside-down face.*”
ayun na nga. 🙃 di parin ba kayo galit 🙃 https://t.co/b5mHSyUClf
— Gabbi Garcia ♡ (@gabbi) June 5, 2020
Kapuso actress Glaiza de Castro promoted a live online forum that will tackle the disadvantages of the said bill. “Para mas higit nating maintindihan. #JUNKTERRORBILL”
Para mas higit nating maintindihan. #JUNKTERRORBILL pic.twitter.com/tsZ5j2SJuN
— Glaiza de Castro (@glaizaredux) June 8, 2020