Del Mar explains ‘No’ vote on ML

Cebu City North District Representative Raul Del Mar was among the 27 lawmakers and the only Cebuano who voted against the extension of Martial Law in Mindanao.

In voting ‘No,’ Del Mar explained before the joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives last Wednesday afternoon that extending Martial Law in Mindanao clearly violates the Constitutional provision that requires an actual rebellion or invasion before such law can be proclaimed.

“The President (Rodrigo Duterte) has ample powers to suppress any threat on public order and safety without employing the emergency measure of Martial Law,” said Del Mar.

Del Mar also pointed out that the Armed Forces of the Philippines has declared the restoration of peace and order in Mindanao and is merely bracing itself for the danger of the resurgence of hostilities.

“The conditions portrayed by the AFP negate the call for more Martial Law,” he said.

Del Mar said the end to Martial Law will bring back confidence of the people in their safety, give a sense of law and order again, and restore normalcy in their lives.

He believes that there is no more justification, and no more reason for extension, of the existing martial law.

Should another Martial Law be sought, Del Mar suggested that it should be examined on its separate merit.

“The conditions for the proclamation of the first Martial Law and its first extension cannot be used anymore for this new extension as the said conditions have materially and substantially changed,” Del Mar said.

He further explained that Martial Law, despite its avowed goal, is a state of abnormalcy and uncertainty, which disrupts the regular functions of governance and the lives of citizens.

All other Cebuano congressmen voted in favor of the extension of Martial Law in Mindanao in support of their colleagues from the south.

They are Representatives Rodrigo Abellanosa (Cebu City South District), Gerald Anthony Gullas Jr. (Cebu, 1st District), Wilfredo Caminero (2nd District), Deputy Speaker Gwendolyn Garcia (3rd District), Benhur Salimbangon (4th District), Ramon Durano VI (5th District), Jonas Cortes (6th District), Peter John Calderon (7th District), and Aileen Radaza (Lapu-Lapu City Lone District).