The Supreme Court on Tuesday stopped the Philippine government from proceeding with the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, or Heroes Cemetery, for 20 days

During an en banc session, Supreme Court spokesman Theodore Te said the court resolved to grant immediate relief sought by six petitions against the burial in issuing the a 20-day status quo ante order stopping the defense department and the military from proceeding with the interment of Marcos’ remains.

Te said the SQA will take effect immediately until Sept. 12. The tribunal also agreed to reset the oral arguments on the case from Aug. 24 to August 31.

The petitioners stressed the planned burial of the late dictator is "illegal and contrary to law, public policy, morals and justice." The defense department, military and the Marcos family answered the petitions last Tuesday and asked the high court to dismiss the petitions. DMS