MANILA, Philippines - A Manila court on Tuesday ordered the abolition of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) after declaring that the order creating it is illegal and unconstitutional.

In a 9-page decision, Judge Silvino Pampilo of Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 26 declared that Executive Order No. 624, which created the PASG, is invalid and unconstitutional.

The ruling said that the creation of PASG violates the separation of powers, saying it contradicts a provision in the Tariff and Customs Code and duplicates the functions of the Bureau of Customs.

The Manila RTC ruling stemmed from the petition of Siu Ting Alpha Kwok, also known as the "Diamond Queen," who filed a case against PASG accusing the presidential body of an illegal raid conducted in her house based on an allegation that she smuggled P500 million worth of jewelry.

"Wherefore premises considered the petition for declaratory relief is hereby granted. Executive Order 624 is hereby declared illegal, invalid, unconstitutional and in violation of the doctrine of separation of powers, checks and balances," said Pampilo in his ruling.

“The executive order created another instrumentality which is not allowed because it is tantamount to usurpation of legislative power and violation of the doctrine of separation of powers between the executive branch and legislative branch of the government,” the RTC judge said.

Malacañang, meanwhile, admitted that government’s campaign against smuggling would be affected by the RTC judge’s decision.

"Definitely it will (affect), the creation of the anti-smuggling task group is to curb the smuggling activities particularly in the waterfronts,” said Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza.

He said the Palace would leave it up to the justice department to address the issue. With a report from Ron Gagalac, ABS-CBN News