Considering the multiple petitions filed before the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the “Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020” (ATA), it is understandable that the High Court would need more time to resolve the record 27 pending petitions.

In order to foreclose a premature and errant enforcement of ATA which could be prejudicial to the people’s constitutional rights, it is respectfully reiterated that the Supreme Court issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) holding in abeyance the enforcement of ATA as commonly prayed for in the various petitions pending the final adjudication of the cases.

A TRO will prevent controversial proposals like the one suggested by newly installed Armed Forced Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay to use ATA to regulate social media which will further infringe on the freedom of speech and expression even if such regulation is not in the law.

EDCEL C. LAGMAN