MANILA, (PNA) — The Manila Regional Trial Court Tuesday stopped the implementation of the revamp in the ranks of the officials and employees of the Bureau of Customs.
This was through a temporary restraining order issued by Manila RTC Executive Judge Marino Dela Cruz.
In a three-page order, it said the TRO will be effective within 72 hours starting Tuesday.
According to the RTC, there is the so-called “extreme urgency” to decide on the petition for declaratory relief filed by 15 Customs Collectors from various parts of the country.
The RTC particularly stopped the implementation of the assailed Customs Personnel Order relieving the petitioners from their present post and detailing them to the Customs Policy Research Office which is under the Department of Finance.
The petitioners argued the CPO is violative of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, particularly their right to security of tenure.
They said the issuance of the CPO was immediately done pursuant to Executive Order 140 which was only published on Sept. 17, 2013.
They added if the Civil Code will be complied with, the CPO should only take effect Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013.
The RTC issued the TRO to prevent the so-called “grave injustice” on the part of the petitioners.
Among the respondents named in the case are Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon.