WeDpro, Inc. Empowering women, youth, and their communities

Solons urge GMA to sign anti-torture bill
By: Ryan Ponce Pacpaco

LAWMAKERS yesterday called on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to finally sign into law the proposed Anti-Torture Act which was transmitted to Malacañang last Oct. 13.

Sorsogon Rep. Salvador Escudero III said the measure is designed to uphold human rights in the country.

“As members of Congress, we consider it as our obligation and responsibility to stop any acts of torture. We owe the citizenry a society free from tyranny, coercion and oppression from anyone or from any quarters in our country,” said Escudero in pushing for the immediate enactment into law of the measure.

Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros also called for the enactment into law of the proposal, saying since the ratification of the Constitution 20 years ago, cases of forced or involuntary disappearance and extra-judicial killings in the country continue to happen.

Hontiveros said no less than the Melo Commission, the Alston Report and the Supreme Court-initiated summit all condemned the reported high incidence of human rights violations and provided recommendations to address the problem.

“It was even our resolve after the EDSA revolution to ensure that the human rights violations committed against our people during the Marcos years, which include cases of forced or involuntary disappearances, shall never happen again,” said Hontiveros.