(Eagle News) — The so-called Magnificent 7 group in the House of Representatives is set to file a petition questioning the second extension of martial law in Mindanao.
“We are definitely filing a petition before the Supreme Court…I hope this time the Supreme Court will see that there is no factual and constitutional basis for the extension of martial law in Mindanao,” Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said in a press conference on Thursday.
According to Lagman, they would file the petition before the holidays.
Apart from Lagman, members of the Magnificent 7 bloc include Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat,Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, Capiz Rep. Emmanuel Billones, Northern Samar Rep. Raul Daza, Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano and Akbayan party-list Rep. Tomasito Villarin.
Voting 240-27, Congress on Wednesday approved the 1-year extension of martial law in Mindanao proposed by President Rodrigo Duterte.
This was the second time Congress voted to extend martial law in Mindanao.
The first time was on July 22, when the 60-day martial law allowed by the Constitution expired.
Also in July, the Supreme Court, through a majority vote, dismissed consolidated petitions against the imposition of martial law in Mindanao then.
Duterte first declared martial law in Mindanao after local terrorists overran Marawi in May.