Sereno orders Mindanao courts to remain open

MANILA, Philippines - Courts throughout Mindanao will remain open despite the region’s being placed under martial law by President Duterte in response to an outbreak of hostilities in Marawi City perpetrated by the Maute terror group.

“In view of the President’s declaration of martial law for 60 days over the entire island of Mindanao, the Chief Justice directs all courts in Mindanao to remain open and all judges to remain in station, as far as their local circumstances may allow,” the Supreme Court (SC) announced yesterday in an advisory.

Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno also ordered all Mindanao judges to report “their current and continuing status to the Office of the Court Administrator through their executive judges.”

The continuing armed confrontation between Maute members and government troops in Marawi City, however, forced courts in the city to stop operations upon orders of Marawi City executive judge Wendy Papandayan.

“As the executive judge of Marawi City and considering that Marawi City is the center of the battle resulting to the declaration of martial law, work in all courts of Marawi City is hereby suspended today, May 24, 2017 (Wednesday) only,” Papandayan explained.

“Work suspension is effective only today. Please wait for further announcement as I will personally bring this matter to the Supreme Court first thing in the morning,” Papandayan said.

She explained she decided to issue the order to protect court employees, mostly non-Muslims, residing in Iligan City.

“Other courts in Lanao del Sur are open but not in Marawi where the battle is going on. It’s suicide to allow court employees to report to the Hall of Justice located inside City Hall. Most of my staff are non-Muslim residing in Iligan City,” she said.

“I cannot allow them to go to Marawi while people from Marawi are evacuating and leaving Marawi. I will be the most stupid judge if I require them to report,” she pointed out.

While in Russia on an official visit, President Duterte placed Mindanao under martial law for 60 days in response to the siege of Marawi City by members of the Maute terror group. Violence broke out when security forces entered the city to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon.

The Maute group is among the terror groups in Mindanao that have pledged allegiance to the Middle East-based Islamic State (IS).

Meanwhile, the SC has yet to lay down guidelines for the use of executive power for declaring martial law under Article VII, Section 18 of the 1987 Constitution. The Charter allows the high court to review a martial law declaration by a president.