Legislators vote yes until December: Martial law stays

CEBU, Philippines - Majority of senators and congressmen voted to extend martial law until December 31 and to suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao.

The legislators approved the extension in a special joint session in Congress.

The senators voted 16-4 while the congressmen voted 245-14. In all, 261 members of Congress voted in favor of the extension while 18 voted against it.

The following senators voted in favor of extending martial law upon President Rodrigo Duterte's request: Sonny Angara, JV Ejercito, Francis Escudero, Sherwin Gatchalian, Richard Gordon, Gregorio Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda, Manny Pacquiao, Aquilino Pimentel III, Grace Poe, Ralph Recto, Tito Sotto, Joel Villanueva, Cynthia Villar, and Migz Zubiri.

Senators Kiko Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino and Francis Drilon voted against the extension of martial law.

Lawmakers have the option to explain their votes either on the floor or through written statements.

Senator Franklin Drilon, minority leader, said there was no evidence presented to justify the extension of martial law across all of Mindanao.

"The president’s Request for Extension mentioned only 10 out of 27 provinces in Mindanao. Martial law should be limited to those places where actual rebellion continues to exist," he said.

Drilon stressed that he supports the military and the government's efforts to clear Marawi City in Lanao del Sur of Islamic State-inspired local terrorists, whose attacks on the provincial capital prompted the declaration of martial law on May 23.

"With the facts presented to us, however, we are confident that our military will be successful in resolving the crisis for a period of time shorter than the end of the year. We also remain faithful to the Constitution in recommending that the extension will be limited only to the areas directly affected in Mindanao," he said.

Drilon also warned that the approval of the extension of martial law, with the same scope, could lead to martial law across the country, "under the justification of an existing rebellion in Marawi City and the threat, however remote, of rebellious activity spilling over other parts of the country."

Senator Francis Pangilinan, president of the minority Liberal Party, also questioned the need to extend martial law for 150 more days so security forces in Marawi City can clear four barangays in the city of Islamic State-inspired Maute group and Abu Sayyaf group. He said that the military managed to clear 16 barangays in the past two months.

Senator Grace Poe, who voted in favor of extension, said that she voted to approve, but with reservations.

"Alam ninyo mas gusto ko sana na mas maikli ang martial law, pero hindi naman natin pwede ding talikuran yung pagsuporta sa mga sundalo doon kung paano nila masusugpo ang rebelyon, so binigyan natin sila ngayon ng pagkakataon pa kasi marami pa nga daw teroristang nagkalat sa lugar na iyon," she told reporters after the voting.

She said, however, that Congress should have a mechanism to review developments in Marawi and the rest of Mindanao as part of its oversight functions.

"[I]tong kapangyarihan ng martial law na ito, kami ang nagpatupad na puwede itong i-extend, kami rin ang puwedeng magpawalang-bisa nito kapag nagkaroon ng abuso," she said.

Cebu Congressmen

All representatives from Cebu, except Fifth District Ramon “Red” Durano VI, voted in favor of the extension.

Representative Jonas Cortes of the Sixth District said he voted to extend martial law so government can expedite the completion of the military action against the terrorist group and purge them out of the territories they have invaded.

"I also believe that martial law is necessary in order to prevent this conflict from bleeding to other strategic areas of Mindanao," Cortes said.

Meanwhile, First District Rep. Gerald Anthony Gullas who also supported the extension said he voted “yes” principally to preserve the rule of law in Mindanao.

"Given the magnitude of the problem the president is facing in Marawi City and in Mindanao and with the gravity and seriousness of terrorism and rebellion as unveiled by our military intelligence, I will not clip his powers and be the rope that will tie his hands to prevent him from exercising his duly mandated duty under the Constitution," Gullas said.

For his part, Cebu South District Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa said he consulted his constituents in the South District, which “resulted to almost 100 percent in favor of extending martial law in Mindanao.”

Also voting yes were Second District Rep. Wilfredo Caminero, Third District Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia, Fourth District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon, Seventh District Rep. Peter John Calderon, Cebu North District Rep. Raul del Mar, and Lapu-Lapu Lone District Rep. Aileen Radaza. — Philstar.com/JMO (FREEMAN)