Don’t demean SC – Lagman tells Mendoza

MANILA, Philippines — An opposition lawmaker on Sunday chided veteran lawyer Estelito Mendoza, who was solicitor general and justice minister during the martial law period, for “demeaning” the Supreme Court when he sought the dismissal of 29 petitions challenging the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman also questioned Mendoza’s record as a high official during the regime of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, whose policies, he said, were being “replicated” in Republic Act No. 11479.

Mendoza offered himself as an “amicus curiae” or friend of the court in advising the Supreme Court to reject the legal challenges to the new law.

“An amicus curiae must impartially advise the court on the issues pending adjudication, but never deceive the court by misleading arguments,” Lagman said.