Duterte: I’ll follow SC decision on martial law declaration in Mindanao

President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday said he would heed the decision of the Supreme Court on his martial law declaration in Mindanao.

Duterte made the statement during a chance interview in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

“Of course [I will follow whatever the Supreme Court says]. We are bound by rules. Supreme Court na ‘yan,” he said.

But Duterte also trusts the SC will not discount the role of the ISIS in the siege of Marawi City.

“Kung magbalik ‘yung mga ISIS doon, bahala na ang Supreme Court diyan mag-appreciate,” Duterte said.

“It is the matter of… Itong… the set up of government. What is the final answer. I’m sure that they would take into account the fighting going on, and what’s behind it. Ang nakakatakot ‘yung ISIS,” he added.

The high court has received three petitions seeking to nullify Duterte's martial law declaration. Two other petitions asked the high tribunal to compel Congress to convene in joint session on martial law declaration. 

Constitutional crisis

On Thursday, one of Duterte's staunchest allies, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, warned of a constitutional crisis if the Supreme Court orders the Senate and the House to convene in joint session to tackle Duterte's declaration of martial law in Mindanao. 

Alvarez said the Supreme Court has "no jurisdiction" to tell Congress to convene for a joint session, which is sought by two of the petitions filed against the President’s proclamation.

Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23 while he was on an official trip in Russia following heavy clashes between government security forces and the ISIS-linked Maute group in Marawi City. — Trisha Macas/RSJ/NB, GMA News