MANILA, Philippines — A petition to compel President Rodrigo Duterte to defend Philippine territory, particularly the West Philippine Sea (WPS), against Chinese invasion was dismissed by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court dismissed lawyer Romeo Esmero's petition for Mandamus, citing "complete lack of merit."
Esmero argued that President Duterte, who is named as the sole respondent in the case, has a "ministerial duty of the President to defend the national territory, which includes the West Philippine Sea."
According to the petition, there is an exception to the general rule of presidential immunity from lawsuits.
SC emphasized that a mandamus would only be possible if the petitioner can show that the subject of the plea is a ministerial act or duty of the person.
The ruling was written by Associate Justice Rodil Zalameda on June 29, but it was only uploaded to the SC website last November 22.
Two Filipino boats were supposed to deliver supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre stationed at Ayungin Shoal when they were blocked and water-cannoned by three Chinese Coast Guard ships, forcing them to abandon their mission.
President Rodrigo Duterte and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) condemned the incident, and it was brought up during the ASEAN-China Special Summit to mark the 30th Anniversary of Dialogue Relations.
Source & Photo Courtesy: PhilStar
By: Eunice Ann Ordoñez
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