Martial law amid COVID-19? House ‘very responsive’ on what Duterte opts – Romualdez

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives is always “very, very responsive” with “whatever the executive (department) decides.”

This was the answer of House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, who was asked if the lower chamber would support President Rodrigo Duterte’s push for martial law in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, following an online meeting of the House’s Defeat COVID-19 Committee (DCC) Peace and Order Cluster

“Whatever the executive decides, the House is always very, very responsive,” Romualdez said.

“Whatever initiatives the executive, particularly our President ask, that’s why we’re having this close relationship, nag-uugnayan tayo hindi lang sa mga kapwa natin kongresista (we coordinate not only among our fellow congressmen) but our valid resource persons, and very dear friends from the media para maging mas (so we could be more) responsive, mas (more) sensitive and we can internalize all our issues and concerns of all,” he added.

Romualdez said that the mandate of the House of Representatives and Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano is “to bring the House closer to the people and to make sure that we are more effective in working with the other branches of the government.”

Duterte earlier threatened to declare martial law should “lawlessness” allegedly involving the communist rebels continues.

Duterte accused the New People’s Army (NPA) of stealing goods supposedly for families affected by the pandemic, adding that the group also killed two soldiers.

“Kaya ngayon ‘pag nagpatuloy kayo ng lawlessness niyo, patay dito, patay doon, maybe I will declare martial law because kayong mga NPA ang numero uno,” Duterte said.

(If you continue with your lawlessness, killing here and there, maybe I will declare martial law because you NPAs are instigators)

“Kinukuha ninyo ang tulong sa tao pati supply pagkain nila. Kaya I am now warning everybody and putting notice on this sa Armed forces and sa pulis. I might declare martial law. And there will be no turning back,” he added.

(You are stealing the relief goods for the people, the supplies and food for them. That is why I am now warning everybody and putting notice to the Armed Forces and the police. I might declare martial law and there will be no turning back.)

On April 16, Duterte also threatened that he would order the military and police to enforce “martial law-like” lockdown measures in response to violators of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

Romualdez said the House is in “partnership with the executive and with our law enforcers, with our men in uniform, with the chief implementer and chief PNP, with our secretary of DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government).”

“You can be assured that the government will be one in defeating this COVID together,” Romualdez said.

KGA