By CHARISSA M. LUCI-ATIENZA
After more than four hours of deliberations, Congress, in a joint session, gave in yesterday to President Duterte’s request to extend martial law in Mindanao including the suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus from Jan. 1, 2018 to Dec. 31, 2018.
240 Congress members voted in favor of the extension, while 27 rejected it.
The Senate voted 14-4, while the House of Representatives voted 226-23.
Earlier, Malacañang asked Congress to extend martial law in the region for one year noting how “actual rebellion” continue to persist in Mindanao as perpetrated by various forces.
“Despite the liberation of Marawi City, and the eerie silence in the main battlefield, a state of actual rebellion subsists in Mindanao, perpetrated not only by remnants of the DAESH-inspired DWIM, but also by other local and foreign terrorist groups, including the New People’s Army, and ready to explode anew at any given time,” Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea told the joint session yesterday.
“Public safety requires a further extension of martial law and suspension of the privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus in Mindanao, in order to quell this rebellion completely,” he pointed out.
Medialdea clarified they are not seeking “unlimited” martial law, but “unlimited peace and stability in the strife-torn region.”
It was the second time the Palace made the request.
Last July, President Duterte requested Congress to extend martial law in the region until Dec. 31. It was granted via a special joint session only a few days later with 261 Congress members, as with 16 senators approving the request.
Liberal Party senators and congressmen including the seven-man Makabayan bloc of the House of Representatives vehemently opposed the extension, maintaining it is “unconstitutional.”
Senator Francis Pangilinan said the approval of the extension of the martial law is “contrary to the Constitution.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said very much the same thing.
“An extension of the period of martial law in Mindanao even for one day, much more for one full year, has no factual anchorage and constitutional basis,” he said.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon also insisted the extension have “no basis.”
“There is no state of rebellion. These are only threats at this point. Actual armed conflict is basic foundation for the continued imposition of martial law,” he said.
Meantime, KUSUG-TAUSUG partylist Rep. Shernee Tan pushed anew for a nationwide declaration of martial law.
“I reiterate my stand that martial law should be extended not just in Mindanao but also in Luzon and in Visayas if it serves to the best interest of our nation,” Tan said.
However, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said there is no need to impose martial law in Luzon and Visayas.
“45 percent of the NPA in the whole Philippines are in Mindanao. And they are creating havoc, especially in eastern Mindanao,” Lorenzana said.
“In Visayas and Luzon maliit lang po ‘yung activities ng CPP-NPA diyan, kaya I don’t think that there is a need to include Visayas and Luzon in imposing martial law,” he added.
He justified the extension of martial law in Mindanao, explaining “the rebellion has not stopped, but just moved to another place.”
That said, Lorenzana assured the extension of martial law will not be used to suspend the upcoming polls in Mindanao.
