The Supreme Court (SC) released on Friday the guidelines that would govern the oral arguments on two petitions questioning the legality of Executive Order (EO) No. 1 creating the “Truth Commission” that would investigate corruption scandals in the previous administration.

The oral arguments will be held on September 7 at 2 p.m. at the New Session Hall, New SC Building on Padre Faura St. in Manila.

There are two petitions filed against President Aquino’s first presidential directive. One is filed by a certain Louis “Barok” Biraogo and the other was filed by allies of former President now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, led by House Minority Leader and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman.

Both petitions challenged the constitutionality of EO 1. Named respondents in the petitions were the Truth Commission, headed by retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad.

In the Lagman petition, the Truth Commission was called an “exercise in futility” for duplicating the quasi-judicial powers of the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice.

The petitioners also said the Commission is an “enterprise in partisan hostility” for engaging in selective and discriminatory pursuit of “truth and justice” solely against officials and personnel of the previous administration.

The SC has yet to receive the comments of the respondents.