Oral arguments on PP 1017 to push through Tuesday

Oral arguments on the constitutionality of Proclamation 1017, which placed the country under a state of national emergency, will push through as scheduled on Tuesday, the Supreme Court announced. Supreme Court spokesman Ismael Khan told GMA 7’s DZBB the high court was waiting for Malacanang's response on the arguments raised by seven petitioners, among them two lawyers groups, and the Daily Tribune. Khan earlier said the seven petitions filed by various respondents, among them the group of University of the Philippines professor Randy David and the Daily Tribune, have been consolidated. Khan said he could not confirm if the justices would issue a full ruling on the petitions or declare it moot because of President Arroyo’s lifting of the proclamation. Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said the Supreme Court should proceed with the oral arguments and resolve the issue of the proclamation’s constitutionality. Gonzalez said the government is prepared to defend the legality of Proclamation1017. Senator Panfilo Lacson agreed with Gonzalez, saying there is a need for the High Court to rule on the issue of the proclamation’s legitimacy for the government to know if it could issue a similar edict in the future. Lacson said a court ruling on the issue would guide the government on how to properly respond to threats of rebellion or destabilization. The High Court has given the government until Monday to respond to the petitions. Named respondents in the petitions were President Arroyo in her capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz Jr., Military Chief of Staff Gen. Generoso Senga and National Police Director General Arturo Lomibao. Mrs. Arroyo recalled Proclamation 1017 on Friday and lifted the state of national emergency. Khan said the Supreme Court would decide Tuesday whether or not to dismiss the petitions or pursue court deliberations on the issues raised. The petitioners alleged Proclamation 1017 was issued as "a subterfuge to avoid the constitutional requirements for the imposition of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, as well as avoid congressional scrutiny into the President's exercise of martial law powers." They also questioned the warrantless arrests and media raid made by the police under PP 1017. The offices and printing press of the Daily Tribune were raided the same night the proclamation was issued, while a party-list congressman was collared by the police a day after the emergency rule took effect.-GMANews.TV