(Eagle News) — Congress on Wednesday voted to approve President Rodrigo Duterte’s proposal for a one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao.
The approval pushed through with a vote of 14-4-0 in the Senate, and a vote of 226-23-0 in the House of Representatives, with joint results of 240-27-0.
The four senators who voted against the 1-year martial law extension were Franklin Drilon, Bam Aquino, Risa Hontiveros and Francis Pangilinan.
The votes of Senators Cynthia Villar and Francis Escudero, who were unable to vote in the first round, were no longer counted after Drilon posed an objection to the inclusion of their votes after the final results were already announced.
“Taimtim tayong nanumpa na matapat nating itataguyod ang pagtatanggol sa Saligang Batas. Pinag-isa tayo ng Saligang Batas….Article 7, Section 18 of the Constitution states..Wala na hong aktwal na rebelyon, hindi kailangan ng bayan (ang extension ng martial law),” Pangilinan said in explaining his vote.
“For us to go after terrorists and those who disregard our laws we must do so consistent with the law and the Constitution, otherwise we become lawbreakers..,” he added.
He said the approval was an “abdication of our sacred duty” to act as a check and balance, and was contrary to the Constitution.
Hontiveros, for her part, reiterated her position that authorities themselves had already, according to her, said that the New People’s Army was already a “spent force.”
“Martial law is not the solution..It will not bring us nearer to peace..Sobra na ang pagdanak ng dugo sa ating lansangan,” Hontiveros said.
Some dissenting opinions in House
Rep. Kaka Bag-ao said that the declaration of martial law was a “big step backwards” from peace.
“Our soldiers deserve a better strategy..We do not match terror with another terror,” Bag-ao said.
Rep. Gary Alejano said he voted no because the Marawi crisis was over, and there was therefore no longer a legal basis for such an extension.
Rep. Christopher Belmonte, Rep. Arlene Brosas and Rep. Edcel Lagman echoed his argument.
Brosas added that the extension would pave the way for what she said were more human rights violations.
“Ang target nito ay to silence critics..at di kakampi ng Pangulo,” she said.
2nd time
This is the second time Congress voted to approve a proposal to extend martial law in Mindanao from President Duterte.
The first time was on July 22, when the 60-day martial law imposed on Mindanao lapsed.
President Duterte first declared martial law there after Islamic State-inspired groups overran Marawi in May. (With a report from Meanne Corvera, Eagle News Service)
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