No one is above the law, Bato dela Rosa tells critics of proposed amendments to party-list law

MANILA, Philippines — “No one is above the law,” not even government officials, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said on Tuesday after a congressman likened his bill to the Anti-Terror Law.

Dela Rosa filed Senate Bill No. 201, which seeks to amend the Party-list System Act to prohibit party-lists linked with terrorist organizations from joining the legislature.

The proposed law elicited strong opposition from some groups in the House of Representatives, with Kabataan party-list Representative Raoul Manuel, expressing concern that its provisions will be used to silence critics in Congress.

The youth party-list group further likened SB 201 to the Anti-Terror Law.

But Dela Rosa, in a message to INQUIRER.net, said no one — not senators or congressmen — should be exempt from the law.

“If that’s how they feel then I am so sorry… They can not be exempted from the implementation of the law,” he said. “Congress is still part of the territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines, hence, laws should be faithfully implemented therein.”

The following would be included as grounds for disqualification under dela Rosa’s proposal:

• The group seeks the participation of children, youth, and other disadvantaged members of our society in committing violent and unlawful acts;
• The group directly or indirectly participates in acts detrimental to the best interest of the government, and association to rebels or those designated or proscribed terrorist person or groups under Republic Act No. 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020;

The Anti-Terrorism Act was one of the most highly-contested laws after more than 30 petitions were lodged against the measure.

Arguing before the Supreme Court, petitioners claimed the law violates at least 15 fundamental rights under the 1987 Constitution.