Senators alarmed as Rody renews martial law rhetoric

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By Prince Golez, Manila Reporter
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Tuesday, January 17, 2017
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MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has been warned against making “very disturbing” martial law statements.
Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon said on Monday that Duterte’s recent remark “sent chills to the spine of any Filipino.”
Over the weekend, Duterte again announced probable cause to implement martial law “to preserve the Filipino people and the youth of this land.”
The President said he will declare martial law if the prevalence of illicit drug use in the country becomes “very virulent.”
Drilon said such pronouncements only strengthen the people’s perception that the rule of law plays second fiddle to the administration’s campaign against drugs.
The Senate leader also explained that the 1987 Constitution only allows martial law in cases of invasion or rebellion and when public safety requires it.
Senate minority leader Ralph Recto said the problems facing the country today do not require the re-imposition of martial law.
“There is no basis to declare Martial law. Rebellion has been tamed. No foreign army is steaming towards our shores to invade us. And as the President himself likes to brag, crime is down and the people are safe in their homes and communities,” said Recto.
Joblessness, hunger, and poor social services, he said, are the “real enemies” of Filipinos.
“The problems we face today do not require the calling in of the army. We do not burn the house down to kill a few rats,” the senator added.
Meanwhile, Recto said he believes that the President’s statement is just but a “part of [his] oratorical repertoire.”
“His bluster should be likened to a dog that always barks but seldom bites. This thing about Martial law should be filed under outlandish threats like riding a Jetski to the Spratleys, or feeding the fish of Manila Bay with bodies of salvage victims,” he said.
The claim made by Duterte that the declaration of martial law is a unilateral act of the chief executive was also criticized.
“The Constitution, which the President had sworn to uphold in his oath of office, empowers Congress to revoke it, to cite one of many safeguards,” Recto explained.
“It is also subject to Supreme Court review, and if to last more than 60 days, to congressional concurrence.”
Sen. Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV urged the “freedom-loving Filipinos” to fight “dictator” Duterte.
“Soldiers should also start reviewing their constitutional mandate,” Trillanes, former Navy official said.
Citing the Pulse Asia survey showing 74 percent of Filipinos oppose martial law, Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV said that it not the solution to the country’s worsening drug problem.
“Hindi ito ang sagot sa lahat ng problema natin, na kapag nagkakagulo, magma-martial law tayo,” said Aquino.
“People are looking for new solutions and better ways of doing things at kaming nasa gobyerno, we owe it to the people to provide these better solutions.”
For his part, chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo defended the message of the President saying that it is his constitutional duty to declare martial law.
“It is when ‘if’ the situation. He is telling us the reality on the ground. If becomes virulent at medyo talagang kailangan na kailangan naAnd you must remember that the very reason precisely by the framers of the Constitution in putting that emergency power is to preserve our country from chaos,” said Panelo.
Drilon came to the defence of the media who were accused of misreporting the remarks made by the President.
The media only quoted him in his speech, the Ilonggo solon said referring to Duterte’s Jan. 14 statement at the 49th Annual Installation of Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Inc. Trustees and Officials.
“The way I see it, the news reports were devoid of any interpretation by the media… We should not blame the press for reporting what the President said,” he added./PN
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Foreign dignitaries look on as President Rodrigo Duterte (center) enters the hall during the state banquet for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe at the Malacañang Palace on Thursday, Jan. 12. PCO
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