LOCAL OFFICIALS' MIXED REACTIONS TO DECLARATION OF MARTIAL LAW IN MINDANAO

Rep. Peter Calderon ( 7th district) supports President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao. Rep. Jonas Cortes (6th district), however, won’t issue any comments until he reads the full report Malacañang has furnished to Congress for deliberation. Meanwhile, Rep. Raul del Mar (Cebu City, north district) believes the people oppose martial rule. “We, legislators, must now do our job of examining the President’s report to Congress on the factual basis of his proclamation with zeal and the country’s interest at heart. And if the basis is valid, Congress must help and see to it the conditions laid down by the Constitution are faithfully met,” del Mar said. →

More legislators in Cebu expressed their reactions to President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

Cebu City North District Rep. Raul del Mar said that many people are opposed to martial law, but Duterte, in declaring such in Mindanao, just exercised his right.

“But it’s here. Martial law is an accomplished fact in Mindanao. President Duterte exercised his right to proclaim martial law in Mindanao,” Del mar said. “We, legislators, must now do our job of examining the President’s report to Congress on the factual basis of his proclamation with zeal and the country’s interest at heart. And if the basis is valid, Congress must help and see to it that the conditions laid down by the Constitution are faithfully met.”

Del Mar said that the Constitution sets conditions to be followed in a martial law declaration.

“God forbid, the law and order in the Visayas and the rest of the country be broken and used to justify a nationwide martial law,” Del mar said.

Rep. Peter Calderon (Cebu, seventh district) yesterday said that he is supportive of the martial law declaration in Mindanao, but he saw no reason to include Visayas.

“However, as to the possible inclusion of the Visayas, I am of the opinion that there is no basis as of this time,” Calderon said.

Rep. Jonas Cortes (Cebu, sixth district) opted not to comment on the matter yet until he is able to read the full report furnished by Malacañang to the House of Representatives for deliberation. /