QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno has asked Defense Secretary, and Martial Law Administrator Delfin Lorenzana and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Año to attend the oral arguments on martial law.
Sereno issued the directive, thereby granting the request of Rep. Edcel Lagman for the principal martial law implementors to attend the oral arguments.
They are the principal actors now with respect to the implementation of martial law,” Lagman said when oral arguments resumed on the cases questioning the martial law declaration at the Supreme Court.
“I suppose their presence would be important because this honorable court would want to ask questions about Proclamation No. 216 (martial law declaration),” he added.
Chief Justice Sereno said that it is customary for resource persons to attend oral arguments in front of the Supreme Court.
On the other hand, Solicitor General Jose Calida requested for an executive session so that sensitive information will not be disclosed to the public. He said he would try his best to present Lorenzana and Calida before the Supreme Court on Thursday.
The DND Secretary is the martial law administrator while Año is the martial law implementor.