President Rodrigo Duterte put the whole Mindanao under Martial Law last Tuesday, around 10 in the evening after the attacks of the Maute Group in Marawi City. President Duterte has recently even stated the possibility of extending the Martial Law throughout the entire country.
President Duterte has already submitted his report regarding the basis of his declaration on Thursday night.
"The legislature has the constitutional duty to scrutinize the report of the the President on the declaration of martial law before a joint session. We have the duty to evaluate if the declaration has basis or not. Even if the declaration seems to have the support of the majority of our lawmakers, the constitution mandates us to listen to all voices, particularly those who raise legitimate concerns over the implementation of this proclamation," Hontiveros said.
Senator Risa Hontiveros' insistence to hold a joint session is after Senate President, Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel said that the Congress only needs to hold a joint session if it intends to disapprove, revoke or limit the President's order.
In addition, House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas stated that the Senate only needs to hold a joint session if President Duterte himself submitted the proclamation to the Congress. He added that no one seemed to have raised a n objection about the declaration among the members of the Senate. Fariñas even added that anyone is welcome whether to show his or her support to the declaration
However, the proclamation was made and signed in Tuesday while the President was in Russia.
House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez already expressed his support on the declaration.
Hontiveros reminded the lawmakers not to take the declaration and the supposed discussion "lightly."
"With all due respect to the leaders of the two chambers of the legislature, but how can we get the exact sense of the majority of the lawmakers if we don't convene in a joint session? I hope the legislature is not taking the declaration of martial law lightly," Hontiveros added.
 |
|
Photo from Marijuana.com
|
Furthermore, Sen. Hontiveros said that there are no mentions in the 1987 Constitution that states that a joint session on a martial law declaration is optional.
She reiterated the importance of a joint session, saying that it can be an opportunity for the public to know how the lawmakers take such declaration and what their standpoint is.
"The people deserve to know where the lawmakers stand on this important matter. If they believe that they stand on the right side of history, I don't see why Congress can't convene a joint session," the senator added.
The terrorists have already cause a lot of violence, attacks, and destruction in Mindanao, particularly in Marawi City, where they currently terrorize. They have burnt buildings, such as schools and a Catholic church.
Their attacks have also caused the death of some military, police officers, and civilians. Some civilians are also kidnapped.
Source: GMA
0 comments: