Martial law in Mindanao must be extended only if the factual basis of the declaration following the Maute terrorists’ attack remains, a congressman said Wednesday.
In a press conference at the House of Representatives, 1-Ang Edukasyon Rep. Salvador Belaro Jr. said the discussions on martial law have become a “factual” rather than a “legal” issue.
“Nilimit na kasi yung from the legal perspective yung extension (of martial law) because the issue has now become a factual issue,” Belaro said.
Belaro cited the Supreme Court (SC) decision where 11 of its members upheld the validity of President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in the whole of Mindanao.
If the same facts in the Supreme Court decision persist according to the situation in Marawi city, then there is a need to extend martial law in Mindanao, Belaro said.
“The Supreme Court has already ruled that there’s factual basis for the declaration of martial law. Now, if the same set of facts still appear right now then the Supreme Court is bound for that because that is the way our rules our structured… The Supreme Court cannot just overturn that unless there is a compelling reason to do that,” he said.
READ: SC upholds validity of martial law in Mindanao
Amid the Congress’ plans to convene in a special session on Saturday, July 22, to tackle the President’s request for a martial law extension in Mindanao, the congressman said “unless facts have changed,” martial law must still be extended.
READ: Congress to convene on martial law extension Saturday
“What has been decided before, unless the facts have changed, would be binding… If the same facts that was discovered or caught the attention of the Supreme Court vis-a-vis right now, then more than ever, is a reason for extending martial law,” he said.
Belaro made the statement echoing the sentiment of the majority allies that there is a need to extend martial law in Mindanao to address the threat of terrorism in the south.
House leaders have even said Congress should give full confidence to the President, even as militant lawmakers urged their colleagues not to give up their constitutional mandate to review the President’s martial law decree.
READ: Makabayan to Congress colleagues: Don’t railroad martial law extension
Belaro hogged the headlines during the House Bilibid drug trade probe for asking lurid details on the affair of accused drug trade beneficiary Senator Leila De Lima and her driver Ronnie Dayan. The congressman drew the ire of netizens for asking Dayan about his relationship with De Lima: “Kailan kayo nag-climax?”
Belaro has since apologized for his question, but said he was a victim of the media’s “selective reporting.”
Duterte placed the whole of Mindanao under martial law last May 23 because of the ongoing armed conflict between government forces and ISIS-inspired Maute group in the war-torn city of Marawi.
The martial law decree will lapse on July 22 under the Constitution’s 60-day prescription, compelling Congress to convene this Saturday to tackle a possible extension.