The Martial Law specter raised by President Duterte was just a “rhetorical question” as he remains committed to combat the drug menace within the limits of his power, Malacañang said yesterday.
Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar tried to clarify the President’s threat to impose Martial Law when he lashed out at Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno for supposedly interfering with his anti-drug campaign.
“The President merely asked a rhetorical question and said it under the context that his anti-drug campaign cannot wait for the slow wheels of justice – PH style,” Andanar said in a statement.
Andanar explained that the President is an “action man” who believes justice delayed is justice denied. “He is the type, who at the onset of his presidency, simply wants to hit the ground running and rid society of drugs, crime, and corruption with urgency,” he added.
Andanar also said the President has made use of executive powers at his disposal, “knowing fully well the limits of these powers, and without undermining the constitutional separation of powers nor infringing upon the rights of citizens.”
“He is working very hard to deal with the drug menace head-on, by removing fear from among the civilians and bringing it back to the hearts of drug protectors, criminals, and corrupt officials,” he said. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)