The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) on Thursday filed a motion asking the Supreme Court to inhibit Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio from participating in a writ of kalikasan petition seeking to compel the government to protect, preserve and rehabilitate the environment in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and Panganiban (Mischief) Reef in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). The petition, filed by a group of fishermen led by Monico Abogado and assisted by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and Free Legal Assistance Group, will be heard by the Supreme Court during oral arguments set for Tuesday next week. “It is interesting that even before the OSG filed its motion for inhibition, Justice Carpio already told the media that he will not inhibit in this case. This puts the OSG in a bind. Our motion will be an exercise in futility if the issue of his inhibition will be solely left for him to decide. It should be the Supreme Court, as a collegial body, which should decide on our motion,” Solicitor General Jose Calida said in a statement.

Aning, J. (2019, June 29). SC asked to inhibit Carpio from WPS case. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A5.