SC junks petition vs Bayanihan To Heal As One Act
MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition challenging the constitutionality of Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan To Heal As One Act, which granted, among others, President Rodrigo Duterte special powers to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a resolution made public Wednesday, the high court thumbed down the petition filed by Jaime Ibañez, former Law Dean of Laguna State Polytechnic University, for failure to show “the grave abuse of discretion committed by the respondents” that include Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, Health Secretary Francisco Duque, and the Interagency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
RA 11469 declared a state of national emergency and authorized Duterte to exercise powers to carry out the declared national policy to deal with the health crisis.
In his petition, Ibañez said putting individuals who are not sick under quarantine for an unlimited period is a disregard of the 1987 Constitution.
He added that the law also gave the President legislative power, which is only vested in Congress.
READ: Bayanihan Act’s legality questioned at SC amid call to extend law
Article continues after this advertisementAssociate Justice Marvic Leonen and Samuel Gaerlan registered dissent to the decision.
KGA
For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.
