Press Release
May 25, 2017

Statement on Congressional Review of Martial Law Declaration

"The power to declare Martial Law," the Supreme Court has said, "poses the most severe threat to civil liberties. It is a strong medicine which should not be resorted to lightly."

While I continue to believe that the President is motivated by the best intentions in issuing Proclamation No. 216, the extraordinary nature of the awesome powers invoked by the President requires the Congress to exercise its constitutionally mandated check-and-balance functions as soon as possible. The fact that this proclamation also includes the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, a power even more grave than the declaration of martial law itself, makes the timely exercise of this congressional power of review even more urgent.

In line with this, I am calling on the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to immediately convene the constituent chambers of Congress in a joint session to exercise the legislative duty under Art. VII, Sec. 18 of the 1987 Constitution to review Proclamation No. 216.

Martial Law is already being implemented in Mindanao as we speak. Every day that passes is a lost opportunity for the members of Congress to fulfill our responsibility to safeguard the rights and welfare of our constituents. Therefore, both houses of Congress must come together as soon as humanly possible to discuss Proclamation No. 216 and ensure that the government is using the most proper and effective means to restore peace, order, and security in Marawi City.

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