SC stops curfew on minors in Manila, QC, Navotas

The Supreme Court on Tuesday temporarily stopped ordinances imposing a curfew on children in three cities in Metro Manila.

At a media briefing, SC Public Information Office chief and spokesman Theodore Te said the tribunal's temporary restraining order covers the cities of Manila, Quezon City and Navotas City.

Te said the TRO would be in effect "until further orders" from the high court. 

"The court, acting on the petition for certiorari and prohibition with application for a TRO challening the 'Curfew Ordinances' of the three local governments ... issued a TRO effective immediately and until further orders enjoining the three local government units from implementing and enforcing the 'Curfew Ordinance,'" read the resolution.

The three LGUs were directed to file a comment on the petition within 10 days from receipt of the notice.

The petition was filed by a group led by the Samahan ng mga Progresibong Kabataan or SPARK against the three LGUs, represented by QC Mayor Herbert Bautista, Manila Mayor Joseph Ejerxito Estrada and Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco.

The petitioners argued that the curfew ordinances were "ultra vires" or issued beyond the legal power and authority o the LGUs, for being contrary to Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.

Curfew hours in Metro Manila are usually between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. In Quezon City, an ordinance passed in 2004 penalizes parents or guardians with a P2,000 fine or be required to render community service for 48 hours if their children are caught during curfew hours.

The TRO against the ordinances came at the wake of President Rodrigo Duterte's campaign to impose a nationwide 10 p.m. curfew on minors, just like in Davao City where he used to be mayor.

Duterte said parents of minors caught after the curfew would be arrested pursuant to provisions under the Revised Penal Code. — RSJ, GMA News