Press Release
May 24, 2017

Pimentel: Congress will wait for President's report placing Mindanao under martial law

Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III today said Congress will wait for the report of President Rodrigo Duterte justifying the declaration of martial law in Mindanao following a series of attacks by the Maute terrorists in connivance with the Abu Sayyaf.

Pimentel, who is in Moscow with the President in what was supposed to be a landmark visit to Russia, joined the latter in cutting short his stay yesterday and issued a statement condemning the acts of terror in a historically predominant Muslim city of Mindanao.

"As provided by the Constitution, we in Congress will wait for the report of the President justifying the declaration of martial law in Mindanao," said Pimentel.

"There is no question that the violence perpetrated by the Maute gang of terrorists allegedly in connivance with Abu Sayyaf has to be met by the corresponding force of the government to insure public safety of the residents of Mindanao and the tourists visiting the island," he added.

President Duterte has placed the entire island of Mindanao under martial law Tuesday for 60 days following the siege by the Maute gang of Marawi City.

Pimentel said the President has to report to Congress within 48 hours from the proclamation, and Congress, voting jointly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its members, may revoke such proclamation or suspension.

In the same manner, he said Congress may extend such proclamation or suspension for a determined period of time if the rebellion shall persist and public safety requires it upon the initiative of the President.

News Latest News Feed