SC denies SolGen’s last-minute bid to cancel anti-terror law oral arguments | ABS-CBN
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SC denies SolGen’s last-minute bid to cancel anti-terror law oral arguments
SC denies SolGen’s last-minute bid to cancel anti-terror law oral arguments
Mike Navallo,
ABS-CBN News
Published Jan 15, 2021 04:33 PM PHT
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MANILA - The Supreme Court has denied the last minute plea of the Office of the Solicitor General to cancel oral arguments on the petitions against the Anti-Terrorism Act scheduled on Tuesday, January 19.
MANILA - The Supreme Court has denied the last minute plea of the Office of the Solicitor General to cancel oral arguments on the petitions against the Anti-Terrorism Act scheduled on Tuesday, January 19.
In a resolution dated January 12, a portion of which was shown to ABS-CBN News by one of the petitioners, the Supreme Court denied the prayer for cancellation of the oral arguments contained in the OSG’s urgent partial motion for reconsideration filed on January 11.
In a resolution dated January 12, a portion of which was shown to ABS-CBN News by one of the petitioners, the Supreme Court denied the prayer for cancellation of the oral arguments contained in the OSG’s urgent partial motion for reconsideration filed on January 11.
The OSG’s motion was in response to the January 5 advisory issued by the high court which confirmed that the oral arguments would push through.
The OSG’s motion was in response to the January 5 advisory issued by the high court which confirmed that the oral arguments would push through.
Solicitor General Jose Calida had moved for the cancellation of the oral arguments citing the coronavirus pandemic.
Solicitor General Jose Calida had moved for the cancellation of the oral arguments citing the coronavirus pandemic.
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He said it would be impossible to observe “social distancing” during the oral arguments involving 37 petitions and that public gatherings would violate quarantine protocol.
He said it would be impossible to observe “social distancing” during the oral arguments involving 37 petitions and that public gatherings would violate quarantine protocol.
But the Supreme Court decided to push through with the oral arguments, adopting several measures such as limiting the number of physical attendees and requiring RT-PCR tests for those who will attend, including the media.
But the Supreme Court decided to push through with the oral arguments, adopting several measures such as limiting the number of physical attendees and requiring RT-PCR tests for those who will attend, including the media.
The SC required only 8 lawyers to argue on behalf of the petitioners, with the others whose counsels are not arguing allowed to send 1 lawyer-representative.
The SC required only 8 lawyers to argue on behalf of the petitioners, with the others whose counsels are not arguing allowed to send 1 lawyer-representative.
Petitioners submitted 13 names on Wednesday — 7 lawyers led by former Solicitor General Jose Anselmo Cadiz, who will principally argue for petitioners with 6 alternates.
Petitioners submitted 13 names on Wednesday — 7 lawyers led by former Solicitor General Jose Anselmo Cadiz, who will principally argue for petitioners with 6 alternates.
Each side was given 45 minutes to make their pitch.
Each side was given 45 minutes to make their pitch.
The SC initially allowed only 3 lawyers to accompany Calida but in its latest resolution, it expanded that number to 6, including the solicitor general.
The SC initially allowed only 3 lawyers to accompany Calida but in its latest resolution, it expanded that number to 6, including the solicitor general.
The Anti-Terrorism Act is one of the most contentious laws passed in recent years, with various groups coming together to challenge the constitutionality of the anti-terrorism measure.
The Anti-Terrorism Act is one of the most contentious laws passed in recent years, with various groups coming together to challenge the constitutionality of the anti-terrorism measure.
Oral arguments are scheduled to start on January 19 at 2 p.m.
Oral arguments are scheduled to start on January 19 at 2 p.m.
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Anti-Terrorism Act
Supreme Court
RA 11479
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Carpio warns public against voting for ‘pro-China’ candidates
Carpio warns public against voting for ‘pro-China’ candidates
MANILA – Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has urged the public to be wary in voting for “pro-China” candidates in this year’s elections, saying these candidates would rather push for the Beijing's interests if elected into office.
MANILA – Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has urged the public to be wary in voting for “pro-China” candidates in this year’s elections, saying these candidates would rather push for the Beijing's interests if elected into office.
Carpio, without naming persons, said that these candidates have China’s financial backing.
Carpio, without naming persons, said that these candidates have China’s financial backing.
China, he said, might also be fueling disinformation online to further divide the public.
China, he said, might also be fueling disinformation online to further divide the public.
“This election is not purely about internal politics, about internal matters, because there is a country that wants to grab our maritime zones and island territories. So, we should be careful not to vote for Manchurian candidates, candidates who will do China's bidding,” Carpio said in a statement released by Stratbase ADR Institute.
“This election is not purely about internal politics, about internal matters, because there is a country that wants to grab our maritime zones and island territories. So, we should be careful not to vote for Manchurian candidates, candidates who will do China's bidding,” Carpio said in a statement released by Stratbase ADR Institute.
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“They can come out with their own social media campaign,” the former SC magistrate said.
“They can come out with their own social media campaign,” the former SC magistrate said.
“As we have seen in the past, recent past, that there have been candidates, who, when they won, were favoring China against our national interest,” he added
“As we have seen in the past, recent past, that there have been candidates, who, when they won, were favoring China against our national interest,” he added
Carpio also said the West Philippine Sea could be at stake if pro-China candidates would win in this year’s polls.
Carpio also said the West Philippine Sea could be at stake if pro-China candidates would win in this year’s polls.
“Those who are pro-China, they [China] can give campaign funds to. That's usually what other countries do if they want to destabilize a certain state. I expect China to do that... Once elected, they will say, the Philippines has no right to name the West Philippine Sea as West Philippine Sea,” according to Carpio.
“Those who are pro-China, they [China] can give campaign funds to. That's usually what other countries do if they want to destabilize a certain state. I expect China to do that... Once elected, they will say, the Philippines has no right to name the West Philippine Sea as West Philippine Sea,” according to Carpio.
For his part, Dindo Manhit, president of the Stratbase ADR Institute, cautioned voters from patronizing candidates who downplay the 2016 The Hague ruling on the West Philippine Sea.
For his part, Dindo Manhit, president of the Stratbase ADR Institute, cautioned voters from patronizing candidates who downplay the 2016 The Hague ruling on the West Philippine Sea.
“Upholding our arbitral victory is not just a matter of policy but a fundamental duty of any leader who claims to serve the nation. Ignoring it means turning a blind eye to our territorial integrity,” said Manhit.
“Upholding our arbitral victory is not just a matter of policy but a fundamental duty of any leader who claims to serve the nation. Ignoring it means turning a blind eye to our territorial integrity,” said Manhit.
“Vote for leaders who are patriotic and will fight for the Philippines. A true leader must stand firm in defending what is rightfully ours and not succumb to foreign pressure. The West Philippine Sea is a vital part of our national identity, economy, and security,” he said.
“Vote for leaders who are patriotic and will fight for the Philippines. A true leader must stand firm in defending what is rightfully ours and not succumb to foreign pressure. The West Philippine Sea is a vital part of our national identity, economy, and security,” he said.
Sought for comment on the issue, the Chinese Embassy said Philippine elections are an internal matter.
Sought for comment on the issue, the Chinese Embassy said Philippine elections are an internal matter.
Chinese vessels have engaged in a series of high-profile confrontations with Philippine ships in disputed waters of the South China Sea claimed by Beijing despite an international ruling that their assertion has no legal basis.
Chinese vessels have engaged in a series of high-profile confrontations with Philippine ships in disputed waters of the South China Sea claimed by Beijing despite an international ruling that their assertion has no legal basis.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in kicking off the campaign season, had brought up the West Philippine Sea to differentiate the administration slate from other candidates.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in kicking off the campaign season, had brought up the West Philippine Sea to differentiate the administration slate from other candidates.
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