Congress receives Palace report on Mindanao martial law

Malacañang has submitted to Congress the official report on President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to declare martial law in Mindanao.

Pres. Duterte signs the martial law report submitted to Congress. HS Alvarez, SP Pimentel were also in Davao City for special mtg ????: Palace pic.twitter.com/UT6Wkdgbni

— Trisha Macas (@trishamacas) May 25, 2017

The report was personally received by top officials of both chambers of Congress, who are in Davao City for the Cabinet meeting there on Thursday.

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III received a copy of the report at 9:55 p.m.

The submission came just minutes before the deadline, as set by the 1987 Constitution.

Duterte placed “the whole of Mindanao” under martial law at 10 p.m. Tuesday, just before cutting short his official trip to Russia.

He also suspended the privilege of writ of habeas corpus in the region through the same proclamation, effective for 60 days.

Under the Constitution, the President has 48 hours to report to Congress, either in person or in writing, his proclamation of martial law.

Congress, via a joint vote by “at least a majority of all its members … may revoke such proclamation or suspension, which revocation shall not be set aside by the President.”

A copy of Duterte’s official declaration reached both chambers on Wednesday night, nearly 24 hours since Malacañang announced the President’s declaration.

The matter is expected to be tackled by both Houses next week, via separate briefings from the executive department.

Leaders of both chambers, who have indicated support for Duterte’s move, said there is no need to call for a joint session, as such is done only if the President would deliver the report before Congress himself.

Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas had told reporters that Congress does “not need to concur” with the proclamation, but either chamber “may express support if it so desires.”

Despite this, lawmakers from both House and Senate have called for a joint session, underscoring the importance of reviewing the report.

This is only the second time that a martial law declaration was made under the 1987 Constitution, the first of which was in December 2009, when former President and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo made a similar proclamation, also in Mindanao particularly in Maguindanao province.

At least 57 people, mostly journalists, were killed in what was later known as the Ampatuan massacre.

Then, Congress convened in a joint session three times, the last of which was held after Arroyo lifted the declaration. — NB/BAP, GMA News