MANILA, Philippines — Retired associate justice Francis Jardeleza yesterday asked the Supreme Court (SC) to junk the 37 petitions questioning the constitutionality of Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terror Law for lack of legal standing.
Jardeleza is one of the two former SC members tapped as amici curiae to the case.
In a 19-page statement, Jardeleza pointed out that nobody among the petitioners claimed any injury, thus the SC should dismiss the consolidated petition.
“None of the petitioners in these cases has claimed direct, personal or constitutional injury, or has alleged actual prosecution under the anti-terror act as to be entitled to relief,” Jardeleza said.
He pointed out that the doctrine of hierarchy of courts is strictly followed to solve the problem of clogged court dockets.
Jardeleza also appealed to the SC magistrates to speed up the disposition of cases within the 24-month mandatory period.
Former chief justice Reynato Puno, who is also an amicus curiae to the case, said SC justices would have to find a balance between individual liberty and national security.
During yesterday’s last oral arguments, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo ordered the respondents to submit their comment to the joint omnibus motion filed by the petitioners, which sought to remove from the court’s records the testimony given by National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr.