15 senators express support for Duterte’s martial law

Fifteen senators think there is “no compelling reason to revoke” martial law in Mindanao, as they expressed full support for President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration.

Senate Resolution 388 expressing the sense of the Senate supporting Duterte’s martial law declaration was filed on Monday by 15 out of the 23 senators, all of whom belong to the majority bloc.

“The acts committed by the Maute group are an open attempt to remove from the allegiance to the Philippine Government the part of Mindanao and deprive the Chief Executive of its powers and prerogatives to enforce laws of the land and to maintain public order and safety in Mindanao, hence constitutes the crime of rebellion,” the resolution read.

“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,” it added.

The resolution was signed by Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, and Senators Sonny 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 “Chiz” Escudero and Grace Poe are the only two majority bloc senators who did not sign the resolution.

In a text message, Escudero said he was’t aware of the filing of such resolution.

“I would have voted against revocation at this time in a joint session once a member of Congress files a motion to so revoke,” Escudero said.

In a separate statement, Poe said that she does not object to martial law “if it is the pathway to ensuring the safety of our countrymen in Marawi.”

While issuing a resolution supporting martial law is not required by law, Poe said it would have been “prudent” if the Senate highlighted the safeguards provided in the Constitution.

“I will not renege on my duty in striking a balance between ensuring the safety of our kababayans in Marawi, and in ensuring that the constitutional safeguards against abuses are followed,” Poe said.

Minority bloc

The six members of the Senate minority bloc, meanwhile, has filed a resolution also on Monday calling for a joint session on martial law.

Senate Resolution No. 350 was signed by Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, and Senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, Risa Hontiveros, Leila de Lima and Antonio Trillanes IV.

The resolution said the joint session was necessary to determine the “constitutional and factual validity” of Proclamation No. 216 declaring martial law in Mindanao following the attacks of the ISIS-inspired Maute group in Marawi City.

Congress has only two session days to discuss the two resolutions concerning martial law before it adjourns sine die. — RSJ, GMA News