Nachura urges SC to stay out of Proclamation 1017

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Eduardo Antonio Nachura on Monday said the Supreme Court (SC) should not intervene in the declaration of a state of emergency because it is part of President Arroyo’s constitutional powers. Nachura said a careful assessment of the situation and intelligence information gathered was made before the President declared a state of national emergency. He said the assessment process that led to the issuance of the Proclamation 1017 is provided in the Constitution, and is within the powers of the president as the commander-in-chief. President Arroyo was never given any new or additional powers when she issued Proclamation 1017 last week, he said. Several groups had asked the Supreme Court to nullify Proclamation 1017 as they urge high court to issue a restraining order on the enforcement decree while their petition is being heard. Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye reiterated that the proclamation is not a tool for oppression but is in fact a shield to protect the people and the state from mob rule and seditious acts. -GMANews.TV