(Eagle News) — Members of the minority bloc in the Senate on Tuesday reiterated their call for a joint session of Congress to deliberate on the basis of the declaration of martial law in Mindanao.
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said that while they expressed “unanimous support” for government forces fighting in Marawi, and “recognize the gravity of the situation there,” there was still a need to discuss whether the declaration of martial law was “the right response of government.”
The Senate adjourns sine die on Thursday, June 3.
“Ang (Armed Forces of the Philippines), with or without martial law, talagang susugpuin nila ang kalaban…Sa akin, personally, di ako nangangamba na mag-abuso si AFP. Nangangamba ako na si Duterte (ang mang-abuso),” he said.
Senator Bam Aquino said the joint session was a “constitutional requirement.”
Liberal Party president Francis Pangilinan noted that the convening of a joint session “need not be initiated” but “must be automatic,” precisely because of the “extraordinary powers being vested on the President” under martial law.
For Senator Risa Hontiveros, the security briefing held by security officials on Monday did not cover the “grave concerns and questions” about martial law.
“All these questions really points to a joint session for transparency,” Senator Franklin Drilon said.
Apart from Pangilinan, Drilon, Trillanes, Hontiveros, and Aquino, Senator Leila de Lima is a member of the minority bloc.
She is detained in Camp Crame after drug cases were filed against her in several courts.
“Not required”
But in an interview on CNN Philippines, Rep. Ruffy Biazon noted that Congress will convene for a joint session only if it wants to revoke the declaration of martial law.
“Congress, voting jointly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its members in regular or special session, may revoke such proclamation or suspension, which revocation shall not be set aside by the president,” the 1987 Constitution said.
According to Biazon, the “operative word” was the “may.”
“‘The Congress may’…(The Constitution) does not require us. If Congress decides and wants to revoke then it will enter into a joint session,” he said.
