SC defers oral arguments on terror law anew

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court on Monday postponed for the second time the resumption on Tuesday of oral arguments on 37 petitions seeking to invalidate the antiterror law after a magistrate contracted the new coronavirus.

Edgar Aricheta, the clerk of court, said some of the magistrates were on quarantine as a precaution. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he received information that one of the 15 justices had tested positive for the new coronavirus.

Aricheta said the fifth day of the debates on the pleadings questioning the constitutionality of Republic Act No. 11479, or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, was reset to March 16 at 2:30 p.m.

—Marlon Ramos