Tolentino wants gov't employees to disclose relatives linked to subversive, terrorist orgs

Senator Francis Tolentino on Tuesday raised the possible need for government employees to disclose if they have relatives who are members of subversive groups or terrorist organizations.

The lawmaker raised the suggestion as he pointed to the recent arrest of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Prospero de Vera's
sister for multiple murder and links to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA).

"Perhaps in other branches of govenment, within the heirarchy, in our bureaucracy, perhaps in the [undersecretaries, assistant secretaries], directorial levels, there are still some of those in positions, of power, with siblings, with relatives who are members of terrorist organization. It may not be the New People's Army or the CPP it may be even your ordinary kidnap for ransom gangs or maybe the Abu Sayyaf or other terrorist organizations," Tolentino said in a privilege speech.

"I'm positing this legal notion, Mr. President, to perhaps trigger the imagination of the Civil Service Commission or even this chamber. Is it now the right time that we also require when one enters the government through an appointment or an elective position to perhaps declare: Do you have a relative within the fourth degree of consanguinity who is a member of a terrorist organization [or] who is an affiliate of an org that seeks to overthow the Republic of the Philippines?" he added.

Tolentino said that in the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, government employees have to declare whether they have family members or relatives within the fourth degree of consanguinity working in the government.

This implied that a similar rule could be adopted in declaring family members who are linked to subversive groups or terrorist organizations.

Tolentino added that the United States, Australia and some other countries inquired about an individual's membership in paramilitary groups and similar organizations that seek to overthrow the government.

"Bakit po sa atin walang ganyan? Sa atin po nire-require lang natin SALN? Bakit po hinahayan natin?" he asked

Although he said that he was not ascribing any fault against the CHED chairman, Tolentino said he raised the matter as there might be some individuals who are connected to government officials that might access confidential information and might endanger national security.

After Tolentino's speech, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, who said that she worked with the National Democratic Front which is connected to the CPP, pointed out that it was difficult to tag an individual an enemy of the state just because their beliefs are not in line with the ideologies of the majority.

"I simply want to state, Mr. President that believing in an ideology which may be different from the majority, in layman's terms, believing in policies and philosophies that may be left of center, so to speak, does not make anyone subversive," Legarda said.

"Having celebrated National Heroes' Day yesterday, there are many heroes in our midst whom we see and whom we do not see or know, even heroes who may be associated with the CPP," she added.

The senator also called for a review of the Anti-Terrorism Law.

"I did not vote in its favor and I do not recall what law or what pronouncement of government has declared the CPP or similar organizations, movements, beliefs, associations could be declared as what-- enemies of the state?" she said.

"It's very difficult to identify that when you see, if we see and study what they actually believe and want, it is social justice. It is really uplifting our people from poverty for decades without bearing arms," a visibly emotional Legarda continued.

"While I appreciate the manifestation of the good senator from Cavite, I also believe that heroes like Dr. Jose Rizal, who was considered subversive by the Spanish, who was killed... is our national hero," she ended.

While thanking Legarda for raising her points, Tolentino noted that the CPP-NPA had been declared a terrorist organization by the European Union, United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, among others. — DVM, GMA News