MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) It will be President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s decision to declare a state of emergency, two lawmakers at the House of Representatives said Wednesday, amid a resolution filed by a colleague asking Congress to grant emergency powers to the President so that she could address the rice crisis in the country.

“It is the call of the executive department because the President has information not available to most people including congressmen,” said Congressman Mattias “Matt” Defensor, chairman of the committee on justice, citing Article 12 Section 70 of the Constitution.

“Siya ang nakakaalam kung kinakailangan mag-declare ng state of emergency [She is the one who knows whether a state of emergency should be declared],” he said during a weekly forum.

Defensor also said that it was a given fact that the country was part of the global food problem and governments should place food security as the priority.

“Food security should be held paramount in all cases,” Defensor said.

“Dapat mapasa-kanya ang lahat ng kapangyarihan na kinakailangan in order to ensure food security for the country [She should have all the power need to ensure food security],” he said.

“I leave it to the President,” Defensor said.

Deputy Minority Floor Leader Roilo Golez seconded Defensor and said that he would not like Congress to be responsible for declaring emergency powers since there was no definite signal on whether the crisis was in a critical stage or not.

“Signals are mixed now,” Golez said. “The executive should give the signal and decide on a state of emergency.”