MikeLigalig.com

The Supreme Court (SC) has deferred the issuance of a temporary restraining order stopping the implementation of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).

In their petition, Akbayan and the environment, fishers and workers' groups claimed that the Senate gravely abused its discretion when it ratified the JPEPA despite its supposedly unconstitutional provisions.

Respondents in the petition are Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. and the 15 senators who voted for the approval of the JPEPA and the government officials who will directly be involved in the agreement's implementation.

They are Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Finance Secretary Margarito Teves and Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales.

The petitioners said that under the JPEPA, toxic and hazardous wastes would be allowed to enter the country -- "a violation of the constitutional right to a balanced and healthful ecology."

They further said that the JPEPA would allow foreign ownership of Philippine private lands in all sectors except manufacturing and services.

They argued that it would also allow corporations with 40 percent Japanese capital to engage in deep-sea fishing activities together with the Philippine government via joint venture agreements, production sharing agreements or co-production agreements â€" "a violation of the constitutional rule which reserves the utilization and enjoyment of the nation's marine wealth to Filipino citizens." - PNA