MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Supreme Court (SC) denied on Tuesday, April 5, the request of several groups for the High Court to conduct oral arguments on the consolidated petition seeking the suspension of the K to 12 program.

The decision comes almost a month after the SC denied the prayer for issuance of a temporary restraining order and/or writ of preliminary injunction against the K to 12 filed by the following groups:

• GR Number 216930 (Council for Teachers and Staff of Colleges and Universities of the Philippines, et al. v. President of the Philippines, et al.)
• GR Number 217752 (Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV, et al. v. Executive Secretary, et al.)
• GR Number 218045 (Eduardo R. Alicias, et al. v. Department of Education, et al.)
• GR Number 218098 (Richard Troy A. Colmenares, et al. v. DepEd Secretary, et al.)
• GR Number 218123 (Congressman Antonio Tinio, et al. v. President of the Philippines, et al.)
• GR Number 218465 (Ma. Dolores Brillantes, et al. v. President of the Philippines, et al.)

“The Court DENIED the request for the conduct of oral argument and required the parties to submit Memoranda within a non extendible period of 20 days from notice, with an instruction on the Clerk of Court to serve notice personally,” the SC said on Tuesday. 

SC spokesperson Ted Te told Rappler the case will be submitted for resolution once parties file their memorandums. 

Critics of the K to 12 want the program suspended because of its labor implications on college workers, among other concerns. (READ: 2015: Protest against K to 12 at its loudest, reaches the Supreme Court)

The decision comes ahead of the government’s nationwide implementation of K to 12’s senior high school program in June.

David Michael San Juan of the Suspend K to 12 Alliance told Rappler the group is saddened about the decision, since “issues on K to 12’s unconstitutionality can only be discussed fairly and comprehensively through oral arguments.”

“We just hope that the justices will still side with us and come up with a decision declaring K to 12 unconstitutional. We hope that the cases are resolved as soon as possible. Tuloy ang laban (The fight continues)!” he added. 

Meanwhile, Severo Brillantes, the counsel for parents and teachers from the Manila Science High School, told Rappler they want the SC to give a reason why their request was denied.

“That is still part of our right to due process. Most sadly, like the junking of our prayer for a TRO, we receive no explanation at all from the Honorable Court.” – Rappler.com