Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MANILA560
2007-02-20 09:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Manila
Cable title:
CONGRESS PASSES MAJOR COUNTER-TERRORISM LEGISLATION
how-toVZCZCXRO1697 OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHML #0560 0510923 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 200923Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY MANILA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5328 INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS MANILA 000560
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PREL KCRM RP
SUBJECT: CONGRESS PASSES MAJOR COUNTER-TERRORISM LEGISLATION
REF: MANILA 465
UNCLAS MANILA 000560
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PREL KCRM RP
SUBJECT: CONGRESS PASSES MAJOR COUNTER-TERRORISM LEGISLATION
REF: MANILA 465
1. (U) In a special session called by President Arroyo, the
House of Representatives on February 19 approved the
bicameral conference version of the Human Security Act of
2007, major counter-terrorism legislation that gives the
Philippine government greater ability to investigate and
prosecute terrorism crimes, which the Senate had earlier
approved. (reftel). The bill will next go to the President
for signature once an official copy is printed and signed by
appropriate House and Senate leaders, which could take a
week. President Arroyo has repeatedly signaled her intention
to sign it immediately. Once signed, the law would take
effect two months after the May 2007 elections.
2. (U) In a meeting with visiting Congressman Steve Chabot
(R-OH) and Pol/C on February 20, House Speaker Jose de
Venecia noted that the final version was "very different" and
"significantly weaker" than the bill the lower House had
originally approved in April 2006, but underscored his and
fellow legislators' resolve to ensure this quick passage of
the compromise bill so that the government would soon have
additional tools in its important fight against terrorism.
Visit Embassy Manila's Classified SIPRNET website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm
You can also access this site through the State Department's
Classified SIPRNET website:
http:// www.state.sgov.gov/
KENNEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PREL KCRM RP
SUBJECT: CONGRESS PASSES MAJOR COUNTER-TERRORISM LEGISLATION
REF: MANILA 465
1. (U) In a special session called by President Arroyo, the
House of Representatives on February 19 approved the
bicameral conference version of the Human Security Act of
2007, major counter-terrorism legislation that gives the
Philippine government greater ability to investigate and
prosecute terrorism crimes, which the Senate had earlier
approved. (reftel). The bill will next go to the President
for signature once an official copy is printed and signed by
appropriate House and Senate leaders, which could take a
week. President Arroyo has repeatedly signaled her intention
to sign it immediately. Once signed, the law would take
effect two months after the May 2007 elections.
2. (U) In a meeting with visiting Congressman Steve Chabot
(R-OH) and Pol/C on February 20, House Speaker Jose de
Venecia noted that the final version was "very different" and
"significantly weaker" than the bill the lower House had
originally approved in April 2006, but underscored his and
fellow legislators' resolve to ensure this quick passage of
the compromise bill so that the government would soon have
additional tools in its important fight against terrorism.
Visit Embassy Manila's Classified SIPRNET website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm
You can also access this site through the State Department's
Classified SIPRNET website:
http:// www.state.sgov.gov/
KENNEY