16 Addressing Inequality During the Pandemic 68 The Philippines’ House of Representatives has unanimously adopted a bill ensuring that state security personnel will not be able to visit any of the University of the Philippines (UP) campuses without prior notice, clearing a major roadblock on the measure’s way to becoming law. It forbids the use of both police and military forces, and codifies a previous agreement between UP and the Department of National Defense into the university’s charter.51 69 On 21 September 2021, the 49th anniversary of Martial Law, the Manila Police dispersed a rally on Mendiola bridge where Human rights groups, grassroots activists, and civil society organizations such as In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDEFEND), Karapatan, and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), Sanlakas, Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA), Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM), and Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) participated.52 70 According to Freedom House’s 2021 report on the Philippines, the Philippines score declined from 3 to 2 due to selective and sometimes excessive enforcement of COVID-19 assembly restrictions. Citizen activism and public discussion are robust, and demonstrations are common. Permits, however, are required for rallies, and the police sometimes use violence to disperse anti-government protests. As a preventive measure to stem the spread of the coronavirus during most of 2020, mass gatherings were not allowed. Complaints of insufficient government aid amid the strict lockdown spurred protests that led to dozens of detentions and arrests, even as President Duterte defended and later promoted a top police official who was photographed having a large birthday party. Additionally, arrests occurred in the midsts of protests led by progressive organizations against the Anti-Terrorism Act signed into law in July; protesters were charged with violating both pandemic-related restrictions and public assembly laws.53 Press Freedom 71 In one of the most alarming developments, the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) has lobbied Congress for the enactment of a law that will penalize comments on the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth (SALN) of public officials made particularly in the press. This is widely seen as having dire implications for press freedom in the country.54 72 House Deputy Majority Leader and Quezon City 4th District Rep. Jesus “Bong”Suntay slammed this proposal and stated that “How a public official generates his wealth is a matter of public concern, thus, information regarding his or her SALN should not be withheld. “ Rep. Suntay also stressed that the SALN is a public document and should be made available to the public. He also said that the media should not be restricted from commenting on the published SALN of any government official.55 51 Ramirez-Cohn, E. (2021). Bill to ban security forces from campus passes key hurdle. Retrieved from https://www. universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=202.109.28181507944 52 Maghanoy, C. (2021). Manila police disperse anti-Martial Law rally in Mendiola. Retrieved from https://www. manilatimes.net/2021/09/21/news/manila-police-disperse-anti-martial-law-rally-in-mendiola/1815547 53 Freedom House. (2021). Freedom in the World 2021. Retrieved from https://freedomhouse.org/country/philippines/ freedom-world/2021 54 Corrales, N., Ramos, M. & Subingsubing K. (2021). Ombudsman pushes own bill to penalize SALN comments. Retrieved from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1504070/ombudsman-pushes-own-bill-to-penalize-saln-comments?utm_ medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=163.468.1950 55 Rosario, B. (2021). Lower House official slams Ombudman’s draft bill to amend SALN law. Retrieved from https:// mb.com.ph/2021/10/21/lower-house-official-slams-ombudmans-draft-bill-to-amend-saln-law/