Leonen recuses from Pamatong suit deliberation

From the Daily Tribune (10): Leonen recuses from Pamatong suit deliberation

Newly appointed Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Marvic Leonen will take no part in deliberations on a petition challenging the validity of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro that created a juridical entity in the southern part of the country. Leonen, who was the government’s lead man in negotiations with stakeholders, particularly the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), recused himself from handling the case.

In a 24-page petition for certiorari filed before the SC, lawyer Elly Pamatong, president of the International Ministries for Perfect and Party Against Communism and Terrorism Inc. (IMPPACT INC.) asked the tribunal to declare as unconstitutional the signed agreement. Among the petitioners who are also members of IMPPACT are Rev. Mercidita Redoble and Rev. Vicente Libradores Aquino. The case was raffled off to Leonen who informed the court that he will inhibit from the case. The petition shall be raffled off with a new ponente or the one tasked to write the decision to the case.

Pamatong has accused the Government Peace Panel of committing grave abuse of discretion when it formulated the Framework Agreement and said the forging of the pact will dissolve the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which was formed via 1976 Tripoli Agreement. The international treaty, according to the petitioners, was recognized by the 1996 Final Peace Agreement and the Organization of Islamic Conference. The government insists that the framework will only complement, not disregard, the existing Tripoli Agreement and the 1996 Final Peace Agreement. Leonen had also expressed confidence that both parties would be able to complete the three annexes of the peace pact by the end of the year.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/7998-leonen-recuses-from-pamatong-suit-deliberation