SC urged: Compel gov’t to conduct mass testing

On Friday, July 3, eleven individuals, including former social welfare secretary Judy Taguiwalo, filed a petition at the Supreme Court urging the Duterte government to conduct mass testing for coronavirus.

The group also requested the court to compel the government to enhance contact tracing and laboratory testing capacity, as well as provide accurate and timely information on the country's COVID-19 situation.

Citing local and international laws, including Article II Section 15 of the Constitution which mandates protection and promotion of public health rights, the petitioners argued that free mass testing is essential to curb the spread of the virus.