15 Senators Support President Duterte’s Martial Law Declaration In Mindanao
Majority of Senators have expressed support to President Rodrigo
Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao.
Senate Resolution 338, signed by 15 of the 23 Senators, said
there is no compelling reason to revoke the martial declaration of the
President.
“The Senate finds the issuance of Proclamation No. 216 to be
satisfactory, constitutional and in accordance with the law. The Senate hereby
supports fully Proclamation No. 216 and finds no compelling reason to revoke
the same,” the resolution said.
The resolution was signed by Senate President Aquilino
Pimentel III, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Majority Leader Vicente
Sotto III, and Senators Juan Edgardo Angara, Nancy Binay, JV Ejercito, Sherwin
Gatchalian, Richard Gordon, Gringo Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda,
Manny Pacquiao, Joel Villanueva, Cynthia Villar, and Miguel Zubiri.
Senators Francis Escudero, Grace Poe, Benigno “Bam” Aquino, Leila de Lima, Franklin Drilon, Risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan, and Antonio Trillanes IV. did not sign the resolution.
The Senators cited the actions perpetrated by Maute group in
Marawi City, which prompted President Duterte to declare martial law in
Mindanao.
They said the acts committed by the Maute are “an open
attempt to remove from the allegiance to the Philippine government the part of
Mindanao.”
They added that the bandit group wants to deprive the
President of his powers and prerogative to enforce laws of the land and to
maintain public order and safety in Mindanao, hence constitutes the crime of
rebellion.
Malacañang thanked majority of the Senators for expressing
support for the President’s move in Mindanao.
Under the Constitution, a President can impose martial law
in any parts of the country for a period of 60 days, if there is presence of
invasion or rebellion.
The Constitution also gives Congress the exclusive power to
either extend or revoke the proclamation of martial law.
President Duterte has instructed the government forces to
intensify offensives against the bandits who are still frequenting Marawi City.
Abella said President Duterte cannot fight the battle
against terrorism alone and seek the help of the entire government, including
the legislative branch.
“The President has acted swiftly and decisively to suppress
the ongoing rebellion in Marawi and to prevent its spread in the provinces of
Mindanao,” he said.
“However, the executive branch cannot do it alone. We need
the cooperation of the entire government and the support of our people to
finally flush out the evil forces, restore normalcy, and bring peace to the
island of Mindanao,” Abella added.
Last Monday, Senators from the minority bloc filed Senate
Resolution 390, calling on Congress to hold a joint session to tackle President
Duterte’s martial law declaration and suspension of writ habeas corpus.
The resolution was signed by Senator Benigno “Bam” Aquino,
Leila de Lima, Franklin Drilon, Risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan, and
Antonio Trillanes IV.
Source: Sunstar PH
15 Senators Support President Duterte’s Martial Law Declaration In Mindanao
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May 30, 2017
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