MALACAÑANG will need to go back to Congress to seek authorization for the planned extension of martial law in Mindanao, Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon said over the weekend.
“They will have to present a request,” he added, following reports that latest military assessment indicates the need to extend martial rule in the south. “Under the Constitution, [the Executive] will have to formally ask from Congress, as it is the one authorized to extend” the imposition of martial law.
Drilon indicated, however, that lawmakers will first need to scrutinize the basis for any extension proposal.
“Let us decide on the basis of the evidence presented because they said the problem there has been resolved; now they will extend it again,” he said.
“We will ask them to provide the basis why they want to extend martial law again,” the senator added, recalling the original declaration of a 60-day martial law in Mindanao was already extended until December 31.
The Senate Minority Leader said this means that, before December 31, the Duterte administration should have secured Congress approval for a second extension.
“If they will request to extend martial law, they would have to do so before December 31 and formally ask Congress for authority for another extension,” Drilon said.
Such a request should specify anew the basis for extending the imposition of martial law in Mindanao, citing rebellion or invasion, as was previously done, he said, because that is what the Constitution states.
Asked if the Executive is required to render another report to Congress if it seeks a second extension, Drilon said: “I would suppose they would send a report.”
But pointed out, partly in Filipino, that, “while there is presumption of regularity” in that report, it is best to withhold judgment until lawmakers read it.
“Let us look at it first,” Drilon said. “Let us not come to any conclusion until we have seen the report.”
In July Drilon joined three other minority senators—Paolo Benigno A. Aquino IV, Ana Theresita Hontiveros-Baraquel and Francis N. Pangilinan—in voting against the first extension of martial rule in Mindanao.