Opposition solons lament SC vote to uphold martial law in Mindanao

Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat Jr. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)

Opposition lawmakers at the House of Representatives on Tuesday decried the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold President Rodrigo Duterte’s martial law in Mindanao, warning of a “creeping authoritarian rule.”

In their statements, members of the “Magnificent 7” independent minority bloc lamented the magistrates’ decision dismissing their petition against the President’s Proclamation No. 216.

The Magnificent 7 are among the petitioners questioning the factual basis of the martial law proclamation.

READ: Opposition lawmakers ask SC to rescind martial law declaration

Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin warned of a “creeping authoritarian rule.”

“Akbayan warns of a ‘creeping authoritarian rule’ in the guise of public safety and security now that the Supreme Court decided to rule in favor of President Duterte’s martial law declaration in Mindanao,” Villarin said.

Villarin expressed fear that Duterte might extend his martial rule in the whole country to aid his brutal war on drugs.

“Now that he is cloaked with such authority, President Duterte might push it to the limit and declare a drug-induced nationwide rebellion by terror groups. Martial law becomes a hard habit to break,” Villarin said.

Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat lamented the decision that would only allow the House leadership to take on a “draconian step” to validate the President’s martial rule which must be opposed by advocates of democracy.

“On my part, I will study the reasons cited by the SC when their decision comes out before I make a long comment. But for now, we will continue to vigorously oppose ML declaration and possible extension and expansion,” Baguilat said in a message to reporters.

“We also maintain that martial law must be subject to the people’s scrutiny.  Just like clockwork, the leadership has now proposed its extension. This is one draconian step to institutionalizing a dictatorship and must be opposed by democracy defenders in Congress,” he added.

Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano said while he respects the Supreme Court decision on martial law, he maintained that there is no need for the President to declare martial law to curb terrorism.

“I respect the decision of the High Court in upholding the imposition of martial law by President Duterte in Mindanao after the Marawi crisis. I maintain, however, that there is no need for the President to declare martial law in order to suppress the acts of terrorism perpetrated by the Maute Group,” Alejano said.

Alejano said the Supreme Court decision would “set a dangerous precedence to future imposition of martial law in the country.”

Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, who is also a petitioner in the case, said the country faces a “dark era” with the three branches of government throwing its support on martial law.

Brosas said with the SC’s backing, “the military will be emboldened to carry out aerial strikes, indiscriminate firing and in using rape as a tool of war against civilians.”

Brosas also said the Supreme Court decision sets the stage for the “arbitrary declaration of a nationwide martial law.”

“We call on Filipino women and the people to vigorously defend human rights and civil liberties in the face of a looming full-blown dictatorial rule with military at the helm,” Brosas said.

The independent minority lawmakers made the statement as the Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the validity of President Duterte’s Proclamation 216.

During Tuesday’s en banc session, the high court, voting 11-3-1, dismissed the petitions filed by House of Representatives’ independent minority bloc, residents of Mindanao and women from Marawi.

READ: SC upholds validity of martial law in Mindanao

Eleven magistrates affirmed the martial law proclamation in Mindanao while three–Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa–wants martial law confined in Marawi. Associate Justice Marvic Leonen was the lone dissenter

Duterte declared martial law in the whole of Mindanao to contain the terror group Maute’s attack in Marawi city. IDL