(Eagle News) — Congress’ “authorization” of a one-year extension of martial law is already a foregone conclusion, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said on Tuesday.
Drilon, who spoke to reporters prior to a briefing of security officials on the proposal, noted that Congress, after all, was a “political body,” and that President Rodrigo Duterte has a super majority in both houses.
“…And therefore it is expected that notwithstanding our reservations and opposition, the Congress will authorize the extension of martial law for one year in the entire Mindanao,” he said.
He said ultimately then, “the Supreme Court will have to decide the validity of the extension.”
He said this was because he was certain several groups would question such before the High Court.
But in a statement, Solicitor General Jose Calida said that the “request for further extension of martial law is amply supported by facts available to the President as Commander in Chief.”
“The President cited compelling reasons in his request to extend the proclamation of martial law, as well as the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, in the whole of Mindanao,” Calida said, referring to the President’s letter request dated December 8, 2017 transmitted to Congress.
“The remnants of these rebel groups are currently regrouping and recruiting new members to sustain the on-going rebellion,” Calida said.
In the letter, Duterte formally asked Congress to allow the one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao, starting January 1, 2018.
The imposition of martial law is set to expire in December, months after Congress gave the go-signal for a first extension.
Duterte first declared a 60-day martial law over Mindanao on May 22, after terrorist groups overran Marawi in a bid to establish an IS caliphate. (With reports from Meanne Corvera, Moira Encina)