Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 13) — Members of both Houses meet today to discuss whether or not to allow President Rodrigo Duterte’s request for the extension of martial law in Mindanao.
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In a closed-door session on Tuesday, senators were briefed by top security officials on why the extension was necessary.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, AFP Chief of Staff Rey Guerrero, Interior undersecretary Eduardo Ano and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon were among those who conducted the briefing.
After the session, Esperon said he was confident he was able to convince the lawmakers to extend martial law until the end of 2018.
He said the the goal in Mindanao is to defeat terrorism, continue the war on drugs, and pursue peace as well as economic reforms – the same things the senators want.
Esperon says now is the perfect time to annihilate terrorist groups such as the Maute, Abu Sayyaf, even the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez also expressed confidence that Congress will grant President Duterte’s request to extend Martial Law for another year.
Alvarez explained that Martial Law was a big help to Mindanaoans because it made them feel safer.
Based on the previous request to extend martial law in Mindanao from July 22 to December 31, 2017, lawmakers will be allowed to ask invited resource persons questions.
After the discussion, a member from the House and the Senate will sponsor a motion to extend the declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao.
A nominal voting, wherein members vote one by one, will then be conducted, calling Senate members first, then House members next.
Under the Constitution, a majority vote of all members of the two chambers voting jointly – or 158 of the 314 members of Congress – will be needed to pass the motion.
After the voting, lawmakers who intend to explain their vote would each be given one minute to do so.
Senator Franklin Drilon says he believes the January 1 to December 31, 2018 extension will be granted.
“I think the authorization of Congress to extend martial law is a foregone conclusion. Congress is a political body,” he said Tuesday.
CNN Philippines Correspondents Cecille Lardizabal and Joyce Ilas contributed to this report.
