Petitions challenging COVID-19 policies junked

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has unanimously dismissed consolidated petitions challenging the constitutionality of COVID-19 regulations issued by the Philippine government, saying the petitions violated “the doctrine of hierarchy of courts.”

The petitions were “dismissible” as the issues raised needed to undergo a “full-blown proceeding before a court of first instance” to adjudicate “extremely technical and scientific facts,” according to the SC.

The “court of first instance” refers to regional trial courts which can receive evidence. The SC can only issue decisions on the interpretation of law or its constitutionality.

The consolidated petitions were filed last year by former presidential candidate Dr. Jose Montemayor Jr., a group of passengers’ and riders’ advocates, and civic groups.

The petitioners had argued that policies implemented by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and other government agencies trampled on their right to life and liberty, impaired their right to travel, and infringed on the equal protection clause as they discriminated against the unvaccinated and only applied to those who do not have private vehicles.

Among the policies challenged was the mandatory vaccination of on-site employees.