SC defers ATA hearing as cases spike

The Supreme Court has canceled anew the holding of oral arguments scheduled today (Tuesday) on the 37 petitions seeking to invalidate the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

In an advisory, the SC said it reset the arguments to April 6 due to the alarming increase of COVID-19 infections, with 33 active cases among its employees in Padre Faura in Ermita, Manila.

Since the start of the arguments on Feb. 2, the legal debates have been suspended four times as preventive measure against the spread of the virus.

The side of the government will be presented when the oral arguments resume on April 6.

All the 37 petitions asked the High Court to declare the ATA unconstitutional in its entirety.

All the petitions likewise sought the issuance of a temporary restraining order to stop the law’s implementation.

The SC, however, has yet to tackle the pleas for TRO.

It appointed “friends of the court” (amici curiae) former Chief Justice Reynato Puno and former SC Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza for this case.