“While martial law is an option available to the President and we respect this exercise of discretion, we in Congress will exercise our constitutional duty to look into the basis of the declaration and determine whether or not there is basis for its continued imposition,” he said. Central to all this is to ensure that the constitutionally guaranteed rights of our citizens are protected and that the exercise of the martial law powers of the President are checked,” he said.
As stated in the Constitution [Article VII, Sec. 18], the President must personally submit a report to Congress within 48 hours since the declaration of the Martial Law. If he failed to do so, the Congress may revoke the declaration given that the majority of its members in regular or special session voted jointly.
Pangilinan also advised to be vigilant against any abuse of power during the Martial Law because of the past experience of the same declaration more than forty years ago.
“Our painful experience with the imposition martial law under the Marcos dictatorship should serve as a reminder that we must, as citizens, stay vigilant as the awesome powers of government concentrated on the executive can lead to rampant abuses and this we must guard against,” Pangilinan said.
Meanwhile, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian assured that the President's primary concern is the security of the civilians in Mindanao.
“I am confident that the President, as a dutiful son of Mindanao, will pour his heart and soul into efforts to restore peace and order there as quickly as possible. We must hold these despicable terrorists accountable for their crimes against humanity,” - Senator Gatchalian stated, who joined the President's trip to Russia.
President Rodrigo Duterte has declared Martial Law to Mindanao Island. The declaration was announced by Malacañang Palace Spokesperson Ernesto Abellla minutes before midnight Tuesday and its effectivity will last for 60 days.
Abella stated in a press briefing in Moscow, Russia that the President called and asked him to announce that as of 10 PM Manila time, he already declared Martial Law for the entire island of Mindanao and quoting Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra for legal affairs stating the declaration is legal on the grounds of rebellion.
Foreign Affairs Sec. Alan Cayetano said that the President was cut short to his visit in Russia. He will not be staying until 24th or the 25th. The Russian officials and people understand his need to return in the Philippines for his presence is essential during this time of atrocities and since the President has to return, Cayetano will have to stay behind.
The is the third time Martial Law has been declared in the country. The first was during the late President Marcos' reign in 1972 and the second was during President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2009.
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Source: GMA
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