Pimentel sees victory over cases vs martial law

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said on Sunday that he intended to win the cases filed in the Supreme Court seeking to compel Congress to hold a joint session to review President Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

Two separate petitions were brought to the high tribunal last week on the issue after the Senate and the House of Representatives rejected resolutions calling a joint session.

The Senate majority said there was no “compelling reason” to revoke the emergency measure. The House by viva voce  also nixed opposition calls for a joint session.

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez told reporters last week that he would rip  any court order forcing Congress to assemble together to discuss Mr. Duterte’s May 23 proclamation of military rule in Mindanao. Alvarez cited separation of powers among the three branches of government under the Constitution.

“On behalf of the Senate, I intend to win the joint session case in the Supreme Court. Hence what decision Speaker Alvarez would be tearing up is a decision in our favor,” Pimentel said in text messages to reporters.

“Hence no damage. All’s well that ends well,” said Pimentel, who was asked about the possibility of a constitutional crisis if the court grants the petitions.

Petition respondents

Pimentel and Alvarez were named respondents in the mandamus petitions. The two earlier said the 1987 Constitution only required Congress to hold a joint session if it would revoke or extend the martial law declaration.

Solicitor General Jose Calida on Sunday slammed critics of martial law.

“Their denial that there is an ongoing rebellion by the combined forces of the Maute group and the Abu Sayyaf … is like saying that the sun does not rise from the east,” Calida told reporters.

“This is a symptom of psychosis since they are detached from reality,” he added.

Calida said the “participation of foreign jihadists” in the violent takeover of Marawi City on May 23 by members of the Islamic State-linked Maute group made the situation worse.

“I am confident that we will be able to prove that there was substantial basis and factual basis in declaring martial law  and that the petitions [against it] will be dismissed,” Calida said.