‘K to 12’ challenged anew at SC

Senator Antonio Traillanes IV and Magdalo Representatives Gary Alejano and Francis Ashley Acedillo filed a petition with the Supreme Court calling for the suspension of K to 12 law on Wednesday May 6, 2015. NOY MORCOSO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Magdalo party-list representatives Gary Alejano and Francis Ashley Acedillo filed on Wednesday a petition before the Supreme Court seeking to declare unconstitutional the government’s “K to 12” education program.

In their petition, the three contended that the K to 12 program under Republic Act 10533 failed to comply with several provisions of the Constitution, including the right of the people and their organizations to consultation and participation at all levels of social, political and economic decision-making.

They also claimed that representatives from the groups most affected by the program—particularly students, college instructors, teachers and non-academic personnel—were not invited to participate or to share their views and opinions during writing of the law.

Named as respondents in the petition were Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and Education Secretary Armin Luistro.

In the meantime, the petitioners asked the high court to issue a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction to stop or restrain the implementation of K to 12.

The K to 12 program added two years to the four-year secondary-level education, resulting in a total of six years of secondary school—four years of junior high school and two years of senior high school. General education courses in college are to be integrated in the two years of senior high school.

Trillanes, who cast the sole negative vote against the passage of RA 10533 in the Senate, told a press conference that the law must be suspended until an adequate and comprehensive study on the impact and effects of the implementation of the program can be undertaken.

The three lawmaker petitioners, together with the members of the Coalition for K to 12 Suspension, will hold a protest against the program on Saturday at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.

Their petition is the third to be filed before the high court against the K to 12 program.

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