By HANNAH TORREGOZA
Congress will grant President Rodrigo Duterte’s request to extend martial law for another year in Mindanao, but the minority group will still manifest their objection to such moves, Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon said on Monday.
“I think the authorization of Congress to extend martial in accordance with the request of the President is a foregone conclusion,” Drilon told reporters in an interview before a closed-door security briefing with defense and police officials.
“Congress is a political body and the President has the super majority in both houses It is expected that notwithstanding our reservations and opposition, the Congress will authorize the extension of martial for one year in the entire Mindanao, as requested by the President. So we will go through the motions,” Drilon said.
Nevertheless, he said ultimately, it is the Supreme Court that will have to decide on the issue whether or not there is, in fact, a factual basis for the extension or martial in the entire Mindanao.
“We will put on record our objection but as I’ve said, the Congress is a political body,” he said.
“I think Congress will heed the President’s request and ultimately, the Supreme Court will have to decide on the validity of the extension,” the minority leader added.
Drilon maintained there must be an actual armed uprising to warrant another extension of martial law in Mindanao.