President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday ordered his Cabinet to prepare for any eventuality on Friday when the Supreme Court en banc discusses the defiance against its order allowing former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to seek medical treatment abroad.
The President issued the directive Thursday morning when he met some Cabinet secretaries at Villamor Airbase before leaving on a chartered flight for Bali, Indonesia for the 19th Association Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.
“He told us to assess the situation and come up with an appropriate plan of action, depending on the developments, we do have a pending motion for reconsideration," Justice Secretary Leila de Lima told reporters.
“My directive to the Bureau of Immigration stays, that is to prevent or bar the Arroyos from leaving," she added.
In a separate interview, Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo said Aquino instructed him to ensure peace and order in the country.
Pnoy admin didn't defy SC
“Una, siguruhin lang tahimik kung may developments po. While hindi po nagkakapareho ang pananaw siguraduhin po na hindi po magkakaroon ng kaguluhan," he said.
“Pangalawa, abangan po ang developments bukas may special en banc session ang Supreme Court. Malamang po may mga kilos bawat panig siguruhin na igagalang ang mga kilos na 'yun at bigyang laya ano ang nais iparating. Siguro ang pinakamahalaga sa mga pangyayaring ito ay mangyayari bukas," he added.
On the TRO, De Lima maintained the Aquino administration did not defy the high tribunal.
“It’s not a defiance at this point because we filed a motion for reconsideration. I firmly advance the position that this is not defiance," she said.
“Will we allow the subjects of the watch list order to leave? That will be a prejudgment of the case. If there is no watch list order, many might escape in the absence of a warrant. This is a weapon of the state," she added.
Robredo said legal experts at the DILG to clarify whose order the Philippine National Police should follow amid conflicting orders between the Supreme Court and DOJ.
“Kaya nga po kailangan i-clarify kasi nga malalagay sa dilemma ang kapulisan at para sigurado ‘yung hakbang n’ya. Medyo high profile po ang kaso na ito pero magkailang beses na nagkaron ng sitwasyon na ‘yung TRO, e, parang pagtatalo kung i-implement o hindi i-implement," he said. — VS
