Supreme Court ruling on martial law seen as ‘abdication’ of duty

The 1734 Murillo Velarde map, crucial in the Philippines’ successful maritime case against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration, adorns the press briefing of the opposition Magnificent Seven bloc. Photo by Vince F. Nonato

“The Supreme Court has abdicated what its function should be, and that is really to serve as the checks and balances of a very powerful Executive.”

This was the scathing remark of opposition lawmaker Rep. Tomasito Villarin following the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the extension of martial law in Mindanao until the year’s end.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, Villarin said the High Court’s roster is “just like the Marcos Supreme Court under [the late Chief Justice Enrique] Fernando, who abdicated the role as a constitutional balance.”

Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman, another Magnificent Seven bloc member, said appealing the SC’s Tuesday decision “could be a futile attempt” at this point, even as he found no valid reason to uphold the extension of martial law.

“When the Supreme Court, which is the court of last resort, is not anymore the court of any resort, then that emboldens the President to continue violating the rule of law,” Lagman said.

“When the majority of justices fall in cadence with the President and Congress in violating the Constitution, then the country is abandoned in the quagmire of tripartite derogation of civil liberties,” he added.

In a separate statement, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate of the Makabayan party-list bloc said: “The Supreme Court failed to see the suffering of Mindanaons who are victims of the military abuses due to Martial law.”

Zarate said the Army’s 75th Infantry Battalion had intensified its military operations in the area, affecting nine Lumad schools and 14 communities.

He cited reports by Lumad residents of loud explosions and gunfires, as well as drone flights, in San Agustin, Surigao del Sur.

“With the SC decision, the [Armed Forces of the Philippines would be further emboldened to commit atrocities against Lumads and other Mindanaons. We must continue to struggle to defend our rights,” Zarate said.