The Supreme Court (SC) yesterday set oral arguments on the petition of fishermen from Palawan and Zambales to compel the government to protect shoals and other land features in the West Philippine Sea where Chinese fishermen have reportedly been harvesting marine resources. At resumption of session after a decision-writing recess, the SC justices decided to hear on June 25 the writ of kalikasan case filed through the Integrated Bar of the Philippines seeking issuance of a writ of continuing mandamus to protect, preserve and rehabilitate the environment in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, Ayungin Shoal and Panganiban (Mischief) Reef. Meanwhile, The STAR learned that Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has opted to inhibit in this case.

Punay, E. (2019, June 5). SC sets oral arguments on kalikasan writ on WPS. The Philippine Star, p. 7.