Palace: No expanded martial law throughout PH
President Duterte is not considering a Marcos-like declaration of martial law across the country, Malacañang assured the public Friday.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque issued the statement as opposition groups readied protest actions on the 46th anniversary of martial law by the Marcos regime.
"Wala pong dahilan para mag-Martial Law sa Luzon at Visayas [There is no reason to declare martial law in Luzon and Visayas]," Roque
said in a radio interview.
Roque acknowledged that martial law proclamation in Mindanao remains in effect but assured this was different from the declaration imposed by the late President Ferdinand Marcos.
He said President Duterte has a clear mandate from the people and has deferred to the Supreme Court and Congress to nullify the martial law proclamation in the south. He also denied that Duterte's martial law in the south has been used to curtail civil liberties, insisting that the government merely enforces the rule of law.
"Pero malinaw na malinaw naman po na bagama’t mayroong martial law diyan sa Mindanao, kakaiba po ang mga nangyayari diyan. Itong martial law po sa Mindanao, hinihingi ng taumbayan sa Mindanao. Hindi po kagaya ng Martial Law ng nakalipas na talaga naman pong ginamit para supilin ang karapatang pantao [But it is very clear that even though there is martial law in Mindanao, the situation is different. The martial law in Mindanao was asked by the people of Mindanao. It is unlike the previous martial law that was used to curtail human rights]," he said.
"At hindi po kagaya ng mga panahon ng Martial Law na walang Kongreso, walang indipendyenteng hukuman, lahat po ng ating institusyon ngayon ay gumagana at pinalalakas pa po ng ating Presidente dahil ang Presidente po natin hindi lang abugado, siya po ay dating piskal na nagnanais na talagang mapatupad lalung-lalo na po iyong ating mga batas kriminal [Unlike the martial law where there was no Congress, no independent court, all institutions today are working and have been strengthened by the President because the President is not only a lawyer but a fiscal who wants to enforce criminal law]," he said.
The martial law in Mindanao was declared last year to quell threats of rebellion and lawless violence. It has been extended until the end of the year.
Roque also assured that the martial law implemented by Marcos is unlikely to happen again due to the safeguards put in place in the 1987 Constitution.
"Malabo talagang maulit po ang Martial Law ni Marcos dahil talagangang 1987 Constitution po ay sinabi, unang-una, hindi mo pupwedeng isarado ang Kongreso at ang mga hukuman maski na ikaw ay may martial law [The martial law of Marcos is unlikely to happen again because the 1987 Constitution states you cannot shut down Congress and the courts even if there is martial law]," he said.
"Pangalawa, may kapangyarihan ngayon ang hukuman at ang Kongresona ipawalang bisa ang deklarasyon ng martial law [Second, the judiciary and Congress have the power to nullify the martial law declaration]," he said.
Roque acknowledged that it was important to remember the lessons of martial law to guard against abuse of power and to value the nation's democracy.
The late President Ferdinand Marcos enforced martial law in 1972, abolished Congress, detained government critics, and ruled the country for 14 more years.
"Kinakailangan po talagang gunitain iyan dahil ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paruroonan [It must be remembered because those who don't look back at where he came from will not reach his destination]," Roque said.
"Sa atin po, alalahanin natin nakapag ang isang namumuno ay walang mandato at nagpilit na manatili sa puwesto, talagang malalabag po ang demokrasya [For us, let us remember that when a leader has no mandate and clings to power, democracy will certainly be violated]," he said.