Legality of CPR still being debated in Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has started its deliberation on Tuesday on the legality of the Calibrated Preemptive Response (CPR) and the Batas Pambansa 880 or the Public Assembly Act, GMA7’s 24 Oras reported. Petitioner Atty. Theodore Te, insisted that the government and local chief executives should allow the people to express their opinions in a peaceful protest rally. “We do not need a permit to rally because it is guaranteed under the Constitution. The law says explicitly that it is the duty of the mayor to grant the permit unless there is a clear and present danger," Te explained to the court. Atty. Neri Javier Colmenares meanwhile said that the BP 880 was discriminatory and intended to suppress freedom of expression. They argued that the CPR was not valid because it is not considered an administrative order by Malacañang since it has not been published. Meanwhile, Solicitor General Antonio Natchura insisted that the government and local executives have the power to prevent the holding of protest rallies if they think this would cause chaos. Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales maintained that there are limitations to freedom. Associate Justice Angelina Sandoval Gutierrez asked the anti-CPR petitioners what would be the guarantee that disorder would never happen in protest rally. Associate Justice Leonardo Quisumbing in his part asked the petitioners if the government had no right to protect itself against the groups who want to over throw the government.-GMANews.TV