EN BANC

G.R. No. 178552 -- SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE ENGAGEMENT NETWORK, INC., et al, Petitioners, versus ANTI-TERRORISM COUNCIL, et al, Respondents.

G.R. No. 178554 -- KILUSANG MAYO UNO (KMU), et al, Petitioners, versus HON. EDUARDO ERMITA, et al, Respondents.

G.R. No. 178581 -- BAGONG ALYANSANG MAKABAYAN (BAYAN), et al, Petitioners, versus GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, et al, Respondents.

G.R. No. 178890 -- KARAPATAN ALLIANCE FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF PEOPLE’S RIGHTS, et al, Petitioners, versus GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, et al, Respondents.

G.R. No. 179157 -- THE INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES (IBP), et al, Petitioners, versus EXECUTIVE SECRETARY EDUARDO ERMITA, et al, Respondents.

G.R. No. 179461 -- BAGONG ALYANSANG MAKABAYAN-SOUTHERN TAGALOG (BAYAN-ST), et al, Petitioners, versus GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, et al, Respondents.

Promulgated:

October 5, 2010

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CONCURRING OPINION

ABAD, J.:

I concur with the majority opinion in dismissing the various petitions filed before this Court challenging the validity of Republic Act (R.A.) 9372. I feel a need to emphasize, however, that as the grounds for dismissal are more procedural than substantive, our decision in these consolidated cases does not definitively uphold the validity of the questioned law. The specific questions raised by the petitioners against R.A. 9372 may be raised in the proper forum if and when an actual controversy arises and becomes ripe for adjudication.

ROBERTO A. ABAD

Associate Justice