¡¡MANILA, Feb. 28 (Xinhuanet) -- The Philippine Supreme Court Tuesday refused to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) on Proclamation 1017, the decree signed last Friday by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to declared a state of national emergency,as has been asked by some civil groups.

    The local television network ANC said the highest tribunal instead scheduled oral arguments next week to hear the pleas of several petitioners who questioned the constitutionality of the proclamation.

    A spokesman for the Supreme Court petitioners are expected to submit their arguments Monday next week.

    An opposition newspaper, which was raided by police, and a former vice presidential candidate Tuesday filed TRO petitions against Proclamation 1017, locally called "ten seventeen".

    Meanwhile, a group of lawyers and an activist group led by a University of the Philippines professor filed separate TRO petitions before the Supreme Court Monday.

    The Philippine presidential palace Tuesday said it expects the Supreme Court to side with the administration in determining the constitutionality of decree.

    The decree bans rallies, allows police to make arrests without warrants, authorizes government to call in troops to keep order and allows government to take over facilities including media outlets which could jeopardize national security. Enditem