The Supreme Court has stopped the implementation of the January 30, 2008 arrest order issued against former National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary and Commission on Higher Education Chairman Romulo Neri by the Senate Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon Committee), Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce, and Senate Committee on National Defense and Security.

The High Court, in a two-page status quo ante order issued last February 5, 2008, required the parties to observe the status quo, thus deferring the arrest of Neri.

The Court also gave the respondent Senate Committees a 10-day non-extendible period within which to file their comment on the Supplemental Petition for Certiorari filed by Neri.

The Court has also scheduled the oral arguments of the case on March 4, 2008 at 1:30 pm at the New Session Hall, New Supreme Court Building, Padre Faura St., Manila.

The Senate arrest order had been previously issued against Neri for failing to attend the Senate inquiry on the controversial ZTE/NBN Broadband Deal. (Min. Res.,  GR No. 180643, Neri v. Senate, February 5, 2008)