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The supremacy of the Constitution over partisan importuning has once again been upheld by the Supreme Court.

Press Statements
  • Rep. Edcel C. Lagman
  • House Minority Leader
  • 15 November 2011
  • 0916-6406737 / 0918-9120137

 

             The supremacy of the Constitution over partisan importuning has once again been upheld by the Supreme Court.

 

             The decision of the Supreme Court reversing the ruling of Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila de Lima to hold the departure of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband, Atty. Juan Miguel Arroyo, is a signal triumph of civil liberties, particularly the right to travel and presumption of innocence.

 

             This development also gives impetus to the expeditious enactment of House Bill No. 5111 or the “Right to Travel Act of 2011” of which I am the principal author.

 

            The temporary restraining order (TRO) stopping the implementation of the DOJ’s watch list order (WLO) and hold departure order (HDO) against the Arroyos is immediately executory and has no particular duration.

 

             The Supreme Court’s TRO effectively allows the Arroyo couple to travel abroad to their destinations of choice.