SC defers ruling on Mike Arroyo petition vs watchlist order

Former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court has not issued a temporary restraining order against a Department of Justice (DoJ) directive putting former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo on the government’s watchlist.

The petition was among those deliberated by the high court justices during this Tuesday’s session but no TRO was issued.

It will be re-deliberated in next week’s session.

Arroyo went to the high court on August 12 and questioned the order issued by Justice Secretary Leila De Lima against him after he was implicated in the anomalous purchase of second-hand helicopters by the Philippine National Police.

In a 19-page petition, Arroyo said the order violated his constitutional rights to travel, due process and equal protection.

Through lawyers Poncevic Ceballos and Inocencio Ferrer Jr., Arroyo argued that the order was unconstitutional and violated section 6, Article III of the Constitution which provided that the “right to travel shall not be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety and public health, as may be provided by law.”

Arroyo’s lawyers said the former First Gentleman was not facing a criminal investigation.

Apart from a temporary restraining order, Arroyo also asked the court to set the case for oral arguments.