IF THERE IS ANYTHING that the Philippines does not lack it is ambition. As representatives of the Filipino people, the Philipine Congress is nothing if not ambitious.

   After the US Congress passed a law, the Homeland Security Act, the Philippine Congress followed suit with a more ambitioius law, as far as its title goes: the Human Security Act.

   Like its US counterpart there are serious questions on this law's view of and, consequently, its respect for civil liberties.

   In a country where law enforcement is often accomplished in the breach it is an open invitation for abuse.

   Also like its US counterpart, though in a rather crude propagandizing and comically circumlocutous manner, questions about this act are ignored or dismissed with threats, stonewalling or 'spin.'

   But this subterfuge is all too obvious and if Congress does not correct itself then the people, hopefully, will.