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‘Magnificent 7’ solons to contest Mindanao martial law extension before SC


Members of the House opposition block Magnificent 7 will file a petition with the Supreme Court against the one-year extension of the martial law imposition in Mindanao, Albay Representative Edcel Lagman said Thursday.

Lagman said they would file the petition questioning the further extension of martial law in Mindanao before Christmas as soon as they secure copies of the arguments presented by the lawmakers during the joint session and the certified true copy of Joint Resolution No. 13 on the extension of the military rule until December 31, 2018.

"We are definitely filing a petition before the Supreme Court... I will have to discuss it with them (Magnificent 7 members) very thoroughly," Lagman said at a press conference.

"I hope this time the Supreme Court will see that there is no factual and constitutional basis for the extension of the martial law in Mindanao," he added.

He said that the extension was "inordinately long," noting that the intention of the 1987 Constitution was its imposition only for a "limited period."

"This will be blatantly against the concept of the Constitution... because the general rule is that there should be no declaration of martial law almost in perpetua. We should be able to protect the civil liberties of people," Lagman added.

Lagman even claimed that other lawmakers who are not members of the Magnificent 7 have signified their intention to contest the extension.

Members of the Magnificent 7 include Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin, Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, Northern Samar Rep. Raul Daza, Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat Jr., Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice and Capiz Rep. Emmanuel Billones.

Lagman also expressed confidence that more SC justices would side with them this time.

In July, the high court, through a majority vote, had already ruled to dismiss consolidated petitions against the imposition of martial law in Mindanao in May.

With a vote of 240-27, Congress in a joint session approved on Wednesday President Rodrigo Duterte’s request to extend martial law in Mindanao until December 31, 2018.

Duterte had cited threats from ISIS-inspired groups and "communist terrorists" to justify his request.

A 60-day martial law was initially declared by Duterte in Mindanao on May 23 following the attack of the ISIS-inspired Maute group in Marawi City.

Duterte declared the liberation of Marawi City on October 16 after government troops killed terrorist leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute. — MDM, GMA News

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