Palace: Duterte to make changes without declaring martial law
Malacañang sought to assure the public on Thursday that despite his recent pronouncements, President Duterte was not about to declare martial law.
“There is no need to worry about martial law. As President Duterte said, ‘I want to make specific changes without having to do martial law,’” the President’s spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a press briefing.
READ: Duterte threatens to declare martial law if SC thwarts drug war
Duterte earlier brought up the martial law threat in reaction to an expression of concern from Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno about a possible constitutional crisis after the President linked judges to the drug war.
“Please, don’t order me. I’m not a fool. If this continues, (that) you’re trying to stop me, I might lose my cool. Or would you rather I declare martial law?” he said Tuesday.
READ: Duterte warns Sereno: Get out of my way or it’s martial law
Senators have also shrugged off the President’s comments, which come as he pushes through with his campaign promise of allowing the burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at Libingan ng mga Bayani. JE/rga
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