Minority reps question martial law before SC

A group of congressmen belonging to the “independent minority bloc” at the House of Representatives questioned before the Supreme Court (SC) Monday President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration

ARTICLE VII, SECTION 18

The Supreme Court may review, in an appropriate proceeding filed by any citizen, the sufficiency of the factual basis of the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or the extension thereof, and must promulgate its decision thereon within thirty days from its filing. of martial law in Mindanao.

Led by Albay Representative Edcel Lagman, the group said the declaration “lacks factual basis.”

Under the 1987 Constitution, the “Supreme Court may review, in an appropriate proceeding filed by any citizen, the sufficiency of the factual basis of the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or the extension thereof.” The Constitution provides that the Supreme Court must issue a ruling within 30 days from the filing.

Other petitioners in the case are Representatives Tomasito Villarin, Gary Alejano, Emmanuel Billones, Teddy Baguilat, Jr. and Edgar Erice. They said there was no need for martial law as there was no case of rebellion or invasion.

Proclamation 216, issued on May 23, cited the violence in Marawi City as basis for the martial law declaration and suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao for 60 days.