QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Fredenil Castro appealed to the Supreme Court to respect the decision of both houses of Congress to not hold a joint session on the declaration of martial law in Mindanao.
Castro said that the high court should respect Congress’ decision to avoid a constitutional crisis.
“Ang sa akin dito ay dapat respetuhin nila kung ano ang paninindigan ng Kongreso. Sila naman ay hindi din pakikialaman ng Kongreso. Rerespetuhin din naman ng Kongreso ang kanilang paninindigan,” Castro said in an interview.
“Kaya perhaps, dahil meron nang desisyon ang Senado at meron na ring desisyon ang mababang kapulungan, ang dapat dito para maiwasan ang banggaan dito ng Congress at Korte Suprema, ay respetuhin nila sapagkat nauna nang magdesisyon ang House of Representatives at Senado,” he added.
President Rodrigo Duterte on May 23 declared martial law over the whole province of Mindanao after a local terrorist group occupied parts of Marawi City.