QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon said that it was Congress that will decide and have the final say on whether or not martial law in Mindanao will be extended.
Senator Drilon explained that the Supreme Court’s decision as well as Article VI Section 18 of the Constitution gives the body the power to determine such extensions, or absence thereof, while the President can only make recommendations.
Drilon made the reaction after Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said that the President may declare martial law in Mindanao again if Congress rejects the proposal to extend the 60-day limit set by the Constitution.
“Such action will be a circumvention of the Constitution because for all intents and purposes, it is nothing more but an extension of the existing proclamation,” Drilon said.
“You cannot circumvent the Constitution. Huwag naman sana nating lokohin ang taumbayan. (Let us not fool the people.) Let us not try to go around with the Constitutional requirements. Let us respect the process,” he added.