SC hearing on ‘1017’ draws mixed reactions in Davao

DAVAO CITY — The slated Supreme Court hearing today on the oral arguments regarding the petition questioning the legality of Presidential Proclamation No. 1017 drew mixed reactions from various groups.

"It would be better if the SC decides on its constitutionality for the guidance of the Bench and Bar even if the issue has been rendered moot and academic by the lifting thereof," former Integrated Bar of the Philippines Davao Chapter president Ramon Edison Batacan said.

Batacan likewise said that though the state of emergency has been lifted, people must remain vigilant of their rights. It is the only way the President will bow to the people’s growing sentiment against corruption and human rights abuses.

However, House Majority Leader Prospero Nograles said otherwise, stressing that the issue is no longer ‘justiceable’, hence, the high tribunal should no longer rule on it.

Batacan said it was good that Mrs. Arroyo lifted the state of emergency last week or it could have paved the way for people who were otherwise reluctant to stage another people power to do it once again.

IBP-Davao secretary-general Carlos Zarate also expressed fears the Supreme Court shall not rule on the petitions filed questioning the legality of the state of emergency.

"What I am afraid of is that the Supreme Court will not rule on it because it will only embolden the Arroyo administration to experiment with the Constitution in the future," Zarate said.

The different media groups in Davao City also asserted strong protests against the crackdown on media personalities here as well as the reported monitoring by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) of radio and TV broadcasts.

Meanwhile, militant groups here such as Bayan Muna, also urged the people to be vigilant of the developments in the political front even after the lifting of Proclamation 1017. — Edith Regalado