SC sets meeting on antiterror debate

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has set a preliminary meeting in preparation for the much-awaited oral arguments on the 37 separate petitions contesting the constitutionality of the controversial antiterror law.

The magistrates scheduled on Nov. 26 the preliminary conference of the lawyers of the petitioners and the Office of the Solicitor General during their weekly full-court session on Tuesday, according to a brief statement issued by the tribunal’s public information office.

The high court, however, has yet to set the actual date for the oral arguments, it added.

Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta earlier said that he had asked the justice in charge to expedite the resolution of the petitions seeking to nullify Republic Act No. 11479, also known as the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, for allegedly flouting the 1987 Constitution.

Peralta said the sheer number of petitions filed against the antiterror law, arguably the most challenged piece of legislation in the country’s recent history, was the primary reason why the high court could not act promptly.

“We try to move fast, but because there are so many petitions, it’s difficult (to do that),” Peralta told reporters during an online press briefing on Oct. 23.

“We are now in the process of decision writing for two weeks. The problem with too many petitions (is that) there are so many issues that are raised,” the chief magistrate said.