Civic groups file TRO vs JPEPA conclusion

A petition for "mandamus, prohibition and a temporary restraining order" has been filed with the Quezon City Regional Trial Group by several civic groups and lawmakers against the conclusion of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).

Civic groups led by Akbayan Citizen’s Action Party, Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Samahan sa Kanayunan, the Alliance of Progressive Labor and Representatives Lorenzo Tañada III, Etta Rosales, Rizza Hontiveros-Baraquel and Joel Villanueva filed the petition for mandamus, prohibition and TRO last Dec. 6 with the QC RTC.

Among those named as respondents were Senior Trade Undersecretary Thomas Aquino, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Edcel Custodio, Tariff Commission chairman Edgardo Abon and several other officials.

In their petition, the civic groups and lawmakers are asking the QC RTC to order the respondents to "provide the petitioners with the full text of the JPEPA including the Philippine and Japanese offers and all pertinent attachments and annexes."

Second, the petitioners are also asking the Court to order the respondents to "refrain from concluding the JPEPA negotiations, signing the JPEPA, and transmitting the same to the President until such full disclosure has been made to the petitioners."

Lastly, the petitioners are seeking a TRO and/or Writ of Preliminary Injunction enjoining the respondents from concluding the JPEPA negotiations, signing the JPEPA, and transmitting the same to the President.