Philippine anti-terrorism law

SC to hold oral arguments on anti-terror law by end September ‘at the earliest’

Lian Buan

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

The Court has yet to finalize whether oral arguments will be held virtually or in person

The Supreme Court (SC) will be holding oral arguments on the contentious anti-terror law by end of September “at the earliest.”

SC spokesperson Brian Keith Hosaka told reporters Tuesday, August 11, the High Court will be conducting oral arguments “on the 3rd week of September, at the earliest. The proper notices will be issued once the date is finalized.”

The SC en banc met Tuesday via video conferencing, after skipping last week’s session as the courts reverted to physical closure in compliance with the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ).

Hosaka said there are “no details yet given” on whether the oral arguments will be done in person or virtually.

At the height of the lockdown in the United States, their Supreme Court made history by conducting oral arguments via teleconferencing on big cases at that, involving President Donald Trump’s financial records. (READ: During pandemic, Supreme Court favors Duterte twice and makes others wait)

Hosaka said the en banc also gave the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) another 10 days to comment to the newest petitions on the anti-terror law. 

There are now 27 according to our unofficial tally based on the groups’ confirmations of their filing.

However the Supreme Court dockets have only received 25 so far, missing two petitions of Mindanao groups filed via registered mail. The Supreme Court allows e-filings during quarantine. 

The two petitions are those from Basilan Representative Mujiv Hataman and former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) vice governor Haroun Alrashid Alonto Lucman. 

Most petitions have asked for an urgent Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against the law. – Rappler.com

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Lian Buan

Lian Buan is a senior investigative reporter, and minder of Rappler's justice, human rights and crime cluster.