Lawyers physically file petition vs Anti-Terrorism Law before SC

Former Education secretary Bro. Armin Luistro and a group of lawyers on Monday personally filed with the Supreme Court a petition questioning the constitutionality of the recently-signed Anti-Terrorism Act.

In a Twitter post, GMA’s Tina Panganiban Perez showed that Luistro was accompanied by Ateneo and La Salle law professor and lecturer Howard Calleja and other lawyers.

Petition for Special Civil Action for Certiorari and Prohibition with Urgent Prayer for TRO, Writ of Preliminary Injunction &/or Other Injunctive Remedies vs Anti Terrorism Act already filed before the Supreme Court. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/14eDI5GJAf

— Tina PanganibanPerez (@tinapperez) July 6, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte signed the law on Friday.

Over the weekend, the group submitted the petition via electronic filing.

The group described the controversial law as "oppressive and inconsistent with our Constitution." hence, the petition.

"This fight against Terrorism should not and should never be a threat to the fundamental freedoms of all peaceful Filipinos," the group added.

In a separate post, Panganiban said Albay Representative Edcel Lagman also filed a petition against the Anti Terrorism Act before the SC.

The progressive Makabayan Bloc in the House of Representatives also asked the Supreme Court  to strike down the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 due to its questionable provisions.

He also asked the high tribunal to issue a TRO or writ of preliminary injunction and nullify the law “for being replete with constitutional infirmities.”

Other groups are expected to file petition questioning the controversial law.

The third petition against the anti-terrorism law filed for the day was undertaken by Far Eastern University Institute of Law Dean Mel Sta. Maria and six other professors.

Sta. Maria and six professors asked the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order preventing the implementation of several provisions of the controversial new law while the court hears the case.

The law professors urged the SC to eventually declare the assailed provisions unconstitutional and void.

These provisions include the definition of terrorism, the acts punished by the law, the process by which individuals and groups are designated and officially declared as terrorists, and the up-to-24-day warrantless detention of terrorism suspects before they have to be brought before a judge. — AOL/RSJ/KBK, GMA News