15 Senators Support President Duterte’s Martial Law Declaration In Mindanao

Majority of Senators have expressed support to President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

Senate Resolution 338, signed by 15 of the 23 Senators, said there is no compelling reason to revoke the martial declaration of the President.

“The Senate finds the issuance of Proclamation No. 216 to be satisfactory, constitutional and in accordance with the law. The Senate hereby supports fully Proclamation No. 216 and finds no compelling reason to revoke the same,” the resolution said.

The resolution was signed by Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, and Senators Juan Edgardo Angara, Nancy Binay, JV Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian, Richard Gordon, Gringo Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda, Manny Pacquiao, Joel Villanueva, Cynthia Villar, and Miguel Zubiri.

Senators Francis Escudero, Grace Poe, Benigno “Bam” Aquino, Leila de Lima, Franklin Drilon, Risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan, and Antonio Trillanes IV. did not sign the resolution.

The Senators cited the actions perpetrated by Maute group in Marawi City, which prompted President Duterte to declare martial law in Mindanao.

They said the acts committed by the Maute are “an open attempt to remove from the allegiance to the Philippine government the part of Mindanao.”

They added that the bandit group wants to deprive the President of his powers and prerogative to enforce laws of the land and to maintain public order and safety in Mindanao, hence constitutes the crime of rebellion.

Malacañang thanked majority of the Senators for expressing support for the President’s move in Mindanao.

“We thank the Senate for its resolution expressing support to the President’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

Under the Constitution, a President can impose martial law in any parts of the country for a period of 60 days, if there is presence of invasion or rebellion.

The Constitution also gives Congress the exclusive power to either extend or revoke the proclamation of martial law.

President Duterte has instructed the government forces to intensify offensives against the bandits who are still frequenting Marawi City.

Abella said President Duterte cannot fight the battle against terrorism alone and seek the help of the entire government, including the legislative branch.

“The President has acted swiftly and decisively to suppress the ongoing rebellion in Marawi and to prevent its spread in the provinces of Mindanao,” he said.

“However, the executive branch cannot do it alone. We need the cooperation of the entire government and the support of our people to finally flush out the evil forces, restore normalcy, and bring peace to the island of Mindanao,” Abella added.

Last Monday, Senators from the minority bloc filed Senate Resolution 390, calling on Congress to hold a joint session to tackle President Duterte’s martial law declaration and suspension of writ habeas corpus.

The resolution was signed by Senator Benigno “Bam” Aquino, Leila de Lima, Franklin Drilon, Risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan, and Antonio Trillanes IV.