[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’SC junks petitions for joint session on martial law ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
MANILA – Congress need not hold a joint session on martial law unless it intends to revoke the proclamation, the Supreme Court ruled.
The high tribunal dismissed the petitions urging it to compel Congress to convene in a joint session to review the martial law in Mindanao.
Thirteen justices voted to uphold that Article VII, Section 18 of the 1987 Constitution does not compel Congress to have a joint session for martial law review, while two voted for the petitions’ mootness, Supreme Court spokesman Theodore Te said yesterday.
“The (high) court, voting unanimously, dismissed the petitions on the ground that Congress did not gravely abuse its discretion in not convening jointly upon the President’s issuance of Proclamation (No.) 216,” Te said.
“The duty to convene jointly and vote is limited to instances where Congress intends to revoke or extend any proclamation of martial law or suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus,” Te added.
Associate Justice Teresita De Castro penned the decision.
The petitions were filed separately by former senator Rene Saguisag, detained senator Leila de Lima, former Commission on Human Rights chairwoman Loretta Ann Rosales, former peace negotiator Alex Padilla, and former senator Wigberto Tañada.
Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23 after the attacks of the Islamic State-inspired Maute group in Marawi City.
In a joint session on Saturday, Congress voted 261-18 in favor of Duterte’s request to extend martial law in Mindanao until Dec. 31./PN
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
