Hontiveros: SC decision upholding martial law sets dangerous precedent

The Supreme Court (SC) decision upholding the validity of martial law in Mindanao sets a “dangerous precedent” on how the Dutere administration will address acts of violence and lawlessness, Senator Risa Hontiveros said Tuesday.

In a statement, Hontiveros said the ruling was a “missed opportunity for the Supreme Court to stand up against creeping authoritarianism.”

“The decision sets a dangerous precedent for undemocratic governance. Lest we forget, bad precedents stem from seemingly justifiable measures,” Hontiveros, a member of the Senate minority bloc, said. 

“With the ruling, Martial Law becomes the ‘default response’ of the state to address all acts of violence and lawlessness. Martial Law becomes a ‘silver bullet’ for a false peace,” she said.

Hontiveros said Duterte should not abuse the SC’s decision thinking it is a “free pass” to expand martial law in other areas of the country.

Duterte issued Proclamation No. 216 on May 23 declaring martial law in Mindanao following the attack of the Maute group in Marawi City.

During Tuesday's en banc session, 11 justices voted to dismiss the consolidated petitions seeking to nullify the martial law declaration.

Three magistrates — Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa — believe the coverage of martial rule should be limited to just some areas.

Only Associate Justice Marvic Leonen voted for the junking of martial law.

While he welcomed the ruling, Senator Richard Gordon said Duterte should not be “overconfident” after his martial law declaration got the backing of both the legislative and judiciary.

“Now that the President has the support of the Court and Congress, he should use that support, not to be overconfident, but certainly because we believe that there is a situation occurring in the country that must be solved,” Gordon said.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, for his part, said politics should take a backseat in dealing with the Marawi crisis. 

“Now that the SC has spoken, it is time to set aside politics and work together in reclaiming Marawi and bringing the city back to its glory,” Gatchalian said.

Senator Bam Aquino, also a member of the minority bloc, said he respects the decision of the SC.

“Still, we must remain vigilant and safeguard the rights of our countrymen until the firefight ends and Martial Law is lifted,” Aquino said in a statement. —KBK/KVD, GMA News