House OKs bill making terrorist financing as a separate crime

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading yesterday a bill classifying financing terrorism as a crime separate from terrorism.

Bill 5015 proposes the imposition of a minimum prison term of 20 years on any person found involved in financing terrorism.

The measure was approved by an overwhelming vote of 168 in favor with only a few opposing it. It will complement the Anti-Terrorism Law.

Militant party-list representatives led by Teddy Casiño of Bayan Muna voted against the financing terrorism bill.

Casiño said the proposed Anti-Terrorist Financing Act “seeks to expand the definition of what terrorism is and what terrorists are under the Human Security Act.”

“If we look at the provisions of the Human Security Act, it is apparent that the definition of terrorism is being expanded under the bill,” he said.

He added the present law treats a person funding terrorism as an accessory and not a principal in the commission of the crime of terrorism.

“Clearly, the offense of financing terrorism is already covered by the Human Security Act, so the bill is not needed,” he added.

Casiño also said the proposed law against terrorism financing removes certain safeguards contained in the Human Security Act. “For example, the law requires a court order for an organization to be classified as a terrorist group. The bill seeks to remove that safeguard. It would also authorize the examination of the bank accounts of suspected terrorism financiers without the proper court order,” he said.

Aside from the proposed Anti-Terrorist Financing Act, the House approved certain changes in the Anti-Money Laundering Law.

House leaders said congressmen are doing their job despite the ongoing Senate impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

House members have been attending the trial in small groups to show support for their colleagues who are prosecuting the charges against Corona.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II show up in the trial every now and then.