MANILA: The Supreme Court (SC) has rejected an appeal to stop the implementation of the government’s Bangsamoro framework agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
The SC public information office announced yesterday that the justices decided in full-court session on Tuesday not to issue a temporary restraining order sought in the separate petitions filed by Elly Pamatong and his group called International Ministries for Perfect and Party Against Communism and Terrorism Inc.
Instead, the high court ordered the public respondents, including President Aquino and members of the government peace panel headed by Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, to answer the petitions. Through the Office of the Solicitor General, they were given 10 days from receipt of notice to comply with the order.
Leonen had earlier vowed to inhibit in any petition in the high court questioning the framework deal signed last October 15.
The petitions were filed even before the assailed peace deal became final with the attachment of annexes and final signing by the parties. The petitioners said the government peace panel committed grave abuse of discretion, saying the Constitution only provides for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the creation of a “Bangsamoro” is unconstitutional.
SC junks petition on political dynasties
MANILA: The Supreme Court (SC) ruling junking the petition that sought to compel the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to abolish political dynasties did not surprise officials of the poll body.
Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes said they were expecting the SC to deny the motion for reconsideration filed by Louis Biraogo, citing the lack of an enabling law that would implement constitutional provisions that prohibit political dynasties.
“In 2001, the Supreme Court had already made a decision on that. It is really up to Congress to come up with a law,” Brillantes said.
A group led by former vice- president Teofisto Guingona filed a similar petition in October 2012 but this was not consolidated with Biraogo’s petition. Under the 1987 Constitution, political dynasties are prohibited but Congress has not passed an enabling law for this. The Philippine star
