After 14-0, 13-0 (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

SC rules Palace ban on rallies is illegal
Decision is unanimous: 13-0

BAGUIO CITY--IN A second major blow to President Macapagal-Arroyo, the Supreme Court yesterday declared unconstitutional her policy allowing police to break up antigovernment rallies held without permits.

"The so-called calibrated preemptive response (CPR) policy has no place in our legal firmament and must be struck down as a darkness that shrouds freedom," the high court said in its 13-0 decision.

"It merely confuses our people and is used by some police agents to justify abuses," said the 36-page ruling penned by Associate Justice Adolfo Azcuna. Associate Justices Reynato Puno and Minita Chico-Nazario were on leave and did not join in the voting.

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