SC: No TRO vs rice tariff cut

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) did not issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Executive Order (EO) 62, which reduced the tariffs on imported rice and other agricultural products from 35 percent to 15 percent.

Instead, the High Court ordered Malacañang to comment on the petition filed by farmers that sought to declare as unconstitutional the EO, also known as “Modifying the Nomenclature and rates of Import Duty on Various Products.”

The petition, filed by several farmer and other cooperative groups, sought a TRO against the EO to hold its implementation while the high tribunal deliberates on the matter.

Respondents named in the petition were Marcos, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and Tariff Commission Chairperson Marilou Mendoza.

The SC gave the respondents 10 days from the receipt of the resolution to file their comment.

“The Court, without giving due course to the Petition and prayer for TRO, required the respondents to file their comments within a non-extendible period of 10 days from notice,” SC spokesperson Camille Sue Ting said at a press briefing yesterday.

The petitioners include the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) Inc., Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) Inc., United Broiler Raisers Association Inc., Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative and Magsasaka party-list Rep. Argel Joseph Cabatbat.

Sought for comment, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said they are currently studying the legal issues involved. He said the Office of the Solicitor General has received a copy of the petition but not the resolution requiring their comment.

“We do not know whether the SC will issue a TRO or not in the days to come. As far as the government is concerned, however, the EO will be implemented unless temporarily restrained by the SC,” he told reporters.

In their 27-page petition, farmers and other cooperative groups claimed EO 62 would make the country dependent on importation, contrary to the policy of self-reliance and independent economy provided under the Constitution.

The EO will also prohibit farmers from being “more competitive” as it threatens them,