SC supports martial law in Mindanao
The Supreme Court continued to uphold the authority of President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao on Tuesday.
Photo from Rappler
With the votes 10-3-1, the motions were rejected with finality for “mootness and lack of merit” according to High Court spokesperson Theodore Te.
Those who voted to discard the martial law appeals and affirm the verdict were: Associate Justices Presbitero Velasco Jr., Lucas Bersamin, Mariano del Castillo, Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Samuel Martires, Estela Perlas-Bernabe, Diosdado Peralta, and Noel Tijam.
Also, newly-appointed Associate Justices Andres Reyes Jr. and Alexander Gesmundo voted to support the decision and joined the majority.
Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, and Associate Justice Benjamin Caguioa also voted to partly limit the martial law to Marawi City and nearby areas only.
“Duterte should be watched closely as he implements his power to implement the proclamation,” said Carpio and Sereno in their statements.
Associate Justice Marvic Leonen was the only justice who again voted to invalidate the proclamation totally.
Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza, who also voted in favour of martial law beforehand, was on leave and did not leave any vote this time.
According to Te, all the justices have presented their own opinion on the matter whether “concurring or dissenting.”
The decision authorized when Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23. The entire Mindanao was placed under military rule resulting battles between government troops and the Maute group in Islamic City of Marawi, the provincial capital of Lanao del Sur.
Martial law in Mindanao is set to end until the end of the year, after Congress voted to extend it after the 60-day period finished on July 22.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said on Monday that “the Armed Forces of the Philippines has sent their recommendations to Duterte whether they see the need to extend martial law.”
