SC moves anti-terror law oral arguments to April 6 due to 'alarming' COVID-19 spike

ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/01/17/supreme-court-building-jc-011717.jpg"/><figcaption><em>ABS-CBN News/File</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA - The Supreme Court on Monday rescheduled again the 5th session of oral arguments on petitions against the new counterterrorism law for April 6, following a spate of new coronavirus infections.</p><p>&quot;Due to alarming increase of COVID cases, you are hereby informed... of the suspension of the Oral Arguments scheduled on March 23,&quot; according to an announcement from the Office of Clerk of Court Edgar Aricheta.</p><p>The oral arguments will resume at 2:30 p.m. of April 6, 2021, the document read.</p><p>On March 8, the high court suspended the oral arguments on petitions against Republic Act 11479 or Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 after some justices went on self-quarantine as precaution against the disease. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/08/21/sc-suspends-day-5-of-oral-arguments-on-anti-terror-law-over-covid-19-concerns">SC suspends Day 5 of oral arguments on anti-terror law over COVID-19 concerns</a></li></ul><p>The high court in February also suspended a separate oral arguments session for the controversial law after a magistrate reportedly contracted the virus.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/22/21/sc-justice-tests-positive-for-covid-19-anti-terror-law-oral-arguments-suspended">SC justice tests positive for COVID-19; Anti-Terror law oral arguments suspended</a></li></ul><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">JUST IN: Supreme Court suspends Anti-Terror law oral arguments for tomorrow, Tuesday, March 23, citing “alarming increase of COVID-19 cases.”<br/><br/>Oral arguments to resume on April 6. <a href="https://t.co/TvghGyRpQi">pic.twitter.com/TvghGyRpQi</a></p>— Mike Navallo (@mikenavallo) <a href="https://twitter.com/mikenavallo/status/1373894546002616320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2021</a></blockquote><div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script></div><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/03/20/duterte-signs-into-law-anti-terror-bill-despite-growing-opposition">Duterte signs anti-terror bill into law despite growing opposition</a></li></ul><p>President Rodrigo Duterte signed the anti-terror law in July 2020 despite heavy opposition over fears it could be used to crack down on dissenters.</p><p>Among the law&#x27;s supposed contentious provisions are warrantless arrest, prolonged detention without charges, and the designation of any person or group as terrorists.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/02/02/21/supreme-court-hears-oral-arguments-on-petitions-vs-anti-terror-act">Supreme Court hears oral arguments on petitions vs Anti-Terror Act</a></li></ul><p>The high court on Feb. 2 began hearing oral arguments on petitions challenging the validity of the Anti-Terrorism Act. A total of 37 petitions were filed against the law by various groups, saying that some provisions may lead to human rights violations.</p><div><strong>- With a report from Mike Navallo, ABS-CBN News</strong></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1621850" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>The Supreme Court on Monday rescheduled again the 5th session of oral arguments on petitions against the new counterterrorism law for April 6, following a spate of new coronavirus infections.</p>

The Supreme Court on Monday rescheduled again the 5th session of oral arguments on petitions against the new counterterrorism law for April 6, following a spate of new coronavirus infections.