Quick to the draw! SC asked to stop Anti-Terrorism Law’s enforcement

A day after it was signed into law, the Supreme Court (SC) on Saturday (July 24) has been asked to stop the enforcement of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

“It is a law not against terrorists, but a law of error and terror,” Ateneo and La Salle law professor Howard Calleja, who led the filing of the petition, warned in a statement.

The petition was filed before the SC via e-mail and included Atty. Joseph Peter J. Calleja, UP Law Professor Christopher John P. Lao, Dr. Reynaldo J. Echavez, Napoleon L. Siongco, Raeyan M. Reposar, civic groups Frontliners: Tunay na Bayani and Bagong Siklab Pilipinas, as well as Br. Armin A. Luistro, FSC, of the De La Salle Brothers, Inc.

“The separation of powers of government and the checks and balances are slowly being dismantled in the guise of public welfare and security,” Calleja said.

“Through the Anti-Terrorism Law, the President, with Congress, has paved the way for a legal framework that would allow the government to go against its own people,” he added.

He pointed out the Anti-Terrorism Law “effectively strengthened the powers of the Executive by granting powers sinherent in the Judiciary, making the Executive the judge, jury, and executioner.”

The petition sought for the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) or any injunction against the enforcement of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

It also asked the SC to declare as “null and void” Sections 3,4,5,9,10,16,17,25,26,29, and 54 of the law for being unconstitutional.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)