Petitions from different groups and individuals questioning the newly-passed Anti-Terrorism Law have been filed with the Supreme Court on Monday.
A group led by Ateneo and La Salle Professor Atty. Howard Callera has physically filed their petition against the law after electronically filing it on Saturday. Their petition for Certiorari and Prohibition includes urging the High Court to release a temporary restraining order and prevent the immediate implementation of the ATL. The group has also asked to declare sections 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 16, 25, 26, 29 and 54 of the law as null as they allegedly violate the 1987 Constitution.
Albay Representative Edcel Lagman has also filed a petition for Certiorari and Prohibition and hoped for a release of a TRO. He stated that the law must be nullified due to its constitutional infirmities.
The third petitioner on Monday is Far Eastern University (FEU) Institute of Law Dean Atty. Mel Sta. Maria with the same petition. He also urged for the imposition of a TRO and preliminary injunction to prevent the implementation of Sections 4 to 12, Article B of Sections 25, 26, and 27 and Article C Section 29 of the ATL. Atty. Sta. Maria stated that the sections mentioned must be declared unconstitutional and void, and must be permanently prohibited.
The fourth petitioner is the MAKABAYAN bloc with the same petition as the others. The group also urged the SC to stop the government from formulating the implementing rules and regulations of the ATL.
Meanwhile, according to Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra, “This is a positive development, as it provides all parties concerned the appropriate forum for the resolution of all the legal and constitutional issues involved, with finality.”
In relation with this, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that they are letting the Supreme Court decide on the petitions. They believe that the court has high respect for a law created and that underwent through a thorough formulation of the Congress. – Report from Kenneth Paciente
