He may have raised the Martial Law option but President Duterte is not about to abuse his power and prolong his six-year term, a Palace official said yesterday.
Chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo allayed concerns of possible abuses, including a term extension for Duterte, saying Duterte and the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos are completely different.
“Mayroong mga safeguards under the present Constitution but we must remember that there is a wide difference between Marcos and Mr. Duterte,” Panelo said in a radio interview.
“Tandaan po natin na si Presidente Duterte is a very out of character na nang-aabuso. In fact, iyon nga ang naging batayan ng kanyang panunungkulan bilang alkalde at bilang presidente, ayaw na ayaw niya ng abuso,” he added.
Addressing a business forum in Davao City last Saturday, the President declared he was prepared to declare Martial Law if the country’s situation becomes virulent. Duterte, confronted with the worsening drug problem, claimed that no one could stop from exercising such power “to preserve the nation.”
The country was last placed under Martial Law during Marcos administration, which was marred by human rights abuses and other violence.
Panelo assured that the President is not obsessed with clinging to power. He said Duterte has even remained unfazed by threats to overthrow or kill him.
“Sinabi niya kahapon, magde-declare man ako ng Martial Law, hindi para palawigin ang aking termino, para sa atin lahat iyon. Gagawin ko lang iyan upang pangalagaan ang ating bansa at i-preserve ang ating bayan,” he said.
Justice Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II said yesterday that Duterte has no plans to declare Martial Law as he reiterated that “the President loathed the Martial Law declaration.”
Aguirre said the President is firm in his belief that the Martial Law imposed from 1972 to 1981 did not improve the lives of the Filipino people.
The assurance was given by Aguirre following the President’s statement over the weekend that he could declare Martial Law anytime he wants to and that nothing can stop him.
The President is allowed to declare Martial Law under Section 18, Article 7 of the 1987 Constitution only under three circumstances – invasion, rebellion, or when public safety requires it – but subject to confirmation by Congress and review of the Supreme Court. (Genalyn D. Kabiling and Rey G. Panaligan)