Senate, House collision seen on ML extension

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives and the Senate appear to be on a collision course regarding the length of the period that the imposition of martial law in Mindanao should be extended.

While President Duterte’s allies in Congress will most likely approve his request for an extension, the issue that remains unsolved is for how long: whether it would be five months or until the end of the year as he has proposed, or another 60 days, the constitutionally set maximum period for martial law declaration.

The Senate and the House will tackle the President’s request tomorrow in a special session.

Several senators want it extended for 60 days or less, but Duterte’s allies in the House have indicated they want it longer.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, vice chairman of the LP, said he is not convinced that another five months of martial law in Mindanao is needed, but he agreed that the call for an extension is valid.

LP president Sen. Francis Pangilinan said that both the duration and scope of martial law will be debated during the special session.

Sen. Francis Escudero said he expects the debates to focus on the justification and basis of martial law in general and the extent and duration of the extension.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said he also expects debates on the period of extension.

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has also aired his confidence that the five-month extension will be approved by the chamber’s super majority.

Deputy speaker and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu said the President’s request should carry much weight, “because this is based on intelligence information he alone has access to.”

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte said he and his colleagues would support Duterte’s proposal.

Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo said Duterte’s request deserves the support of Congress.

Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles said Duterte and the military have not committed abuses during two months of martial law in Mindanao.

“This was validated by survey results indicating that Mindanaoans are in favor of martial law,” he said.

But Kabayan party-list Rep. Harry Roque, another administration ally, said the shortest possible martial rule extension should do.

House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said the joint session would first approve its rules of procedure before tackling the request.

“There will be two presiding officers, two majority leaders, two minority leaders and two sets of membership,” he said.

The House has asked for a briefing from security officials on the situation in Marawi City and Mindanao, and on the basis of the proposal to extend martial law.

A majority of senators said the inputs from the security officials would help them in making a decision during the special session. 

Fariñas added they would have a closed-door meeting with senators on the latter’s suggestion that the two chambers vote separately on the President’s request.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman of the opposition and some senators asserted the extension should not exceed the original maximum period of 60 days, citing the limit as the Charter’s safeguard against abuses.

Headcount

More than 200 House members will attend tomorrow’s special session based on a headcount, according to Zamboanga City First District Rep. Celso Lobregat.

Lobregat, a member of the Mindanao bloc and ally of the ruling administration party, said if Congress will not convene on Saturday, there will be no more martial law as its 60-day effectivity will end by midnight of that day.

“So we have to convene before martial law expires upon the request of the president,” Lobregat said.

Call for scrutiny

Meanwhile, the Liberal Party (LP) has called on all members of Congress to scrutinize Duterte’s request for an extension of martial law in Mindanao and not just end up being a rubber stamp.

In a statement, the LP said serious questions must be asked about the justifications for the extension of martial law, particularly for the period specified by the President. – With Roel Pareño, Marvin Sy, Evelyn Macairan, Delon Porcalla