SC orders gov’t execs to justify martial law extension

Supreme Court facade (File photo from the Philippine Daily Inquirer)

The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered officials from the Executive and Legislative branches of government to answer the petition filed by opposition lawmakers who are seeking to stop the year-long extension of martial law in Mindanao.

In a two-page order issued Friday, the SC gave 10 days for the government, represented by Solicitor General Jose Calida, to comment on the petition for a temporary restraining order against the extension.

The respondents were Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno and Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Rey Leonardo Guerrero.

The SC issued the order after finding the 29-page petition filed on Wednesday by minority lawmakers led by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman to be “sufficient in form and substance.”

READ: Minority lawmakers ask SC to issue TRO vs martial law extension

The extension of martial law should be declared “null and void” since there was “no actual rebellion” in Mindanao” to justify the re-extension, the petitioners said.

The other petitioners were Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat Jr., Capiz Rep. Emmanuel Billones, Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano, and Akbayan party-list Rep. Tomasito Villarin. /jpv

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