Palace lauds SC ruling on validity of martial law in Mindanao

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella (Malacañang file photo by ROBINSON NIÑAL JR.)

Malacañang on Tuesday lauded the decision of the Supreme Court upholding the constitutionality of the martial law declaration of President Rodrigo Duterte in Mindanao.

“The High Court has spoken: Proclamation 216 is constitutional.

“The President is sworn to protect the Filipino people. He will not waver in this commitment to end rebellion, the evil of terrorism and to liberate Marawi,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

READ: SC upholds validity of martial law in Mindanao

Abella urged the public to give their full support to martial law.

“With the Supreme Court decision, the whole government now stands together as one against a common enemy,” he said.

“We ask the public to give their full support and cooperation to local authorities. After all, securing communities is a responsibility that must be shared by everyone,” he added.

During Tuesday’s en banc session, the high court voted 11-3-1 to uphold Duterte’s martial law decree.

Eleven Justices affirmed the martial law proclamation in the entire Mindanao while three others – Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa – wanted martial law confined in Marawi. On the other hand, Associate Justice Marvic Leonen is the lone dissenter. JE

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