HRMP. BAWAL DAW MAGPROTESTA SA ARAW NG SONA. -lawin- ********** Injunction on ban vs SONA protests denied By Jeffrey G. Damicog Published: July 21, 2013 Manila, Philippines --- A Quezon City court junked the petition of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the city hall for ordering a ban against protests near the Batasan Complex during Monday’s State of the Nation Address (SONA). In a two-page order issued on Friday, Judge Germano Francisco Legaspi of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 77, pointed out that the city hall directive does not stop the petitioners from exercising their right to peaceably assemble. “After due consideration, the court finds no extreme urgency for the issuance of the (TRO) prayed for,” Legaspi said. The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan sought a TRO last week after Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS) Chief Elmo San Diego junked its request to hold their protests along Batasan Road during the SONA of President Benigno Aquino III. San Diego stressed the areas of Batasan Road and Commonwealth Avenue are “no rally zones” and instead suggested a football field designated as a freedom park at the city hall as alternative as it does not require any rally permit. The city hall official explained that the rally permit was denied to the group due to possible traffic jams, sanitation concerns, and the recommendations made from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD). In his order, Legaspi noted that the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan was not “totally prohibited” for exercising its right to assemble. “Their planned activity was merely regulated on account of a serious traffic problem. Petitioners can still exercise their right at another place,” said the judge who cited that the group can still hold a rally at the freedom park as suggested by San Diego. “Petitioners should understand that the exercise of their rights is without limits,” Legaspi added. The court also explained that the request for a rally permit can be turned down not just due to “clear and present danger,” contrary to the petitioner’s argument. “Among others, the law allows a mayor not to grant a permit on the ground of public inconvenience,” he cited. news link: mb.ph/News/Metro_News/23160/Injunction_on_ban_vs_SONA_protests_denied#.UesbL39ovMw
Posted on: Sat, 20 Jul 2013 23:22:10 +0000
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