A JOINT session of Congress will likely be held on December 12 for lawmakers to tackle a Palace proposal to extend the imposition of martial law in Mindanao.
As of Friday morning (December 7), Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea confirmed that President Duterte has asked Congress to extend martial law in Mindanao.
Asked if the President has already made this request to Congress, Medialdea said in a text message shared with reporters: “Yes.”
This was after the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police recommended the extension of martial law for one more year when it lapses on December 31.
Senators, meanwhile, were awaiting transmittal of Malacanang’s formal request for Congress to convene the joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives next week. Senate President Vicente Sotto III confirmed on Friday that President Duterte “sent me a message he might call for it on Wednesday December 12.”
In a viber message to reporters, Sotto said, “I am still waiting for the President’s letter re joint session,” but added that “nothing is concrete until I receive his letter.”
Sotto added that senators are scheduled to have a prior briefing Monday (December 10) morning from the Armed Forces of the Philippines to get updates on the Mindanao situation.
Under the Constitution, Congress is required to convene in joint session to give its concurrence to the declaration and extension of martial law’s imposition.
This will be the third extension sought by the Executive for martial law in Mindanao. On May 23, 2017, Duterte imposed a 60-day martial rule in the second largest island after homegrown terrorists, inspired by Islamic State, laid siege to the bustling Islamic city of Marawi.
Duterte then sought a six-month extension when the 60-day original declaration lapsed. The Palace subsequently asked for martial law to run until December 31, 2018, citing continuing threats of terrorism.