only instigated state violence on otherwise peaceful religious marches and political rallies.

The unprovoked water attack on our religious and political leaders who were conducting a peaceful religious activity is unacceptable under a democratic system of government,

The right to free speech is guaranteed by the Constitution. Of course, the state has the right to regulate but an enforcement of an absolute no-permit, no-rally prohibition is unconstitutional,

It can strengthen the democratic system of government or it can erode the confidence of our people in our system of government,

I would encourage those who are affected by this to go to the Supreme Court and question this absolute prohibition, in effect, of 'no permit-no rally' because this goes beyond reasonable restraint for common good,

The bill which I filed along with 10 other senators last month, will help cushion the impact of the e-VAT law on power consumers, especially the common households. I believe ordinary consumers should be spared from the negative effects of higher electricity bills,