Duterte to call on Congress to discuss martial law extension

President Rodrigo Duterte will call Congress to a special session on Saturday to discuss the possible extension of martial law in Mindanao.

House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas made the announcement on Monday afternoon, days before the 60-day martial law expires.

"The President will call the Congress to a Special Session on Saturday, July 22, 2017, at 9 a.m. to consider the extension of Martial Law," Fariñas said.

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III confirmed.

"He will call a special session and we will declare a joint session to tackle the request of the President to extend martial law in Mindanao," Sotto told GMA News Online.

Asked for how long Duterte wanted martial law extended, Sotto said, "Sixty days."

Sotto and Fariñas made the remarks after Duterte met with leaders of the majority coalition in Malacañang on Monday night.

The martial law in Mindanao, which Duterte declared on May 23, is set to end on Saturday July 22 when its 60-day implementation mandated by the constitution expires.

Congress is on a sine die break, and will open its second regular session on July 24, before the President’s second state address.

The 1987 Constitution grants Congress the power to determine whether or not there is a need to revoke or extend a martial law declaration of the President.

“Upon the initiative of the President, the Congress may...extend such proclamation or suspension for a period to be determined by the Congress, if the invasion or rebellion shall persist and public safety requires it,” states Article VII Section 18.

Meanwhile, Senator JV Ejercito said a security briefing will be held for senators on Wednesday 9 a.m. to discuss the situation in Marawi City.

‘Unprecedented’

Opposition lawmaker Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat Jr. said the move was "unprecedented."

"Session should be earlier," Baguilat said.

"There should be time for us to be apprised by the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) or Malacanang of the situation in Marawi City and the entire island of Mindanao before we even consider an extension," he added.

Baguilat is hoping for a productive discussion on the matter, and the decision should not be made in haste.

"Kung mapatunayan ng AFP na nakatulong ang martial law ngunit di pa nila control situation at kailangan ng maikling extension, then baka pumayag pa ako. Pero sa Marawi o Lanao [del Sur] lang sana," Baguilat said.

Anakpawis party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao, on the other hand, said they will still opposed the proposed extension.

"Anakpawis will consistently register our opposition if ever the president requests Congress for the extension of martial law," Casilao said. —NB, GMA News