SC names former justice as ‘friend of the court’

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court named retired Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza “amicus curiae,” or friend of the court for its deliberations, on 37 petitions against Republic Act No. 11479, or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, on Feb. 2.

In a court notice on Friday, Edgar Aricheta, the tribunal’s clerk of court, said the court also noted the offer of veteran lawyer Estelito Mendoza to serve as amicus curiae without further action.

Jardeleza, a former solicitor general, left the chamber on Sept. 26, 2019, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70. —MARLON RAMOS