Watch list TRO for former first gentleman Jose Miguel ‘Mike’ Arroyo only

The Supreme Court on Wednesday clarified that the temporary restraining order (TRO) it issued the other day only covered Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo and not other individuals placed on the watch list order (WLO) by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

Ma. Victoria Gleoresty Guerra, the court’s assistant public information officer, said the magistrates had yet to rule on the constitutionality of the justice department’s Circular 41 which, according to De Lima, was the basis for the WLO issued against Arroyo on Aug. 4.

Guerra made the clarification after the lawyers of others listed in the WLO with the Bureau of Immigration claimed that the court’s ruling should also apply to their clients.

“The TRO is only effective for the case of Mr. Arroyo,” Guerra said told a press briefing.

She also stressed that the high court has yet to rule on the merits of the case.

She explained that the TRO was just a “provisional remedy,” which did not preclude the court ruling otherwise when it finally decides on the case.

De Lima and Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. have been ordered to file their comments in 10 days.