Former President Ferdinand Marcos will not be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani anytime soon.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday extended for the second time the status quo ante (SQA) order temporarily stopping the Department of National Defense and Armed Forces of the Philippines from preparing for the interment of the late dictator, high court’s Information Chief Theodore Te said at a press conference.

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The extension goes up to Nov. 8, Te said.

The first SQA was issued last Aug. 23 effective for 20 days, or until Sept. 12. At the conclusion of the oral arguments last Sept. 7, the High Court extended the SQA to Oct. 18.

Seven petitions have been filed with the high tribunal opposing the burial of Marcos at the Libingan. The petitioners include groups of martial law victims led by former Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Satur Ocampo, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman and former Commission on Human Rights chair Etta Rosales; a group led by former senator Heherson Alvarez; a group of University of the Philippines students; former Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao human rights chair Algamar Latiph and Senator Leila De Lima.

In a nutshell, petitioners insisted that the planned burial of the late dictator is “illegal and contrary to law, public policy, morals and justice.” They alleged that allowing the burial of the former leader would violate Republic Act No. 289 and R.A. 10368 (Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act). They also argued that the burial would also violate constitutional provision on state policies.

But government lawyers led by Solicitor General Jose Calida said President Duterte’s decision to allow Marcos‘ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayan is beyond judicial review.

“Well settled is the rule that a mere existence of a controversy will not authorize the courts of its power of review,” Calida said.

“Instant controversy is beyond judicial review as it involves the intrusion into the wisdom behind the interment of Marcos at the Libingan,” he added.CBB/rga

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