Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 3) — Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to recant his statement that he would ignore the Supreme Court and Congress in his implementation of martial law.
Robredo asked the President to “take back” the declaration, saying the President should encourage government officials to remain faithful to the 1987 Constitution.
“We cannot deny the power of Congress and the Supreme Court to review any proclamation of Martial Law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus,” Robredo said.
“We urge the President: take back what he said about disregarding Congress and the Supreme Court and be an example to all public servants that in the face of whatever crisis in our nation, we will all remain faithful to our Constitution and our democracy,” she added.
In a speech last Saturday, Duterte said he would ignore the Executive’s co-equal branches in favor of police and military reports when deciding to lift or extend miiltary rule in Mindanao.
The President placed Mindanao under martial law on May 23, after the Maute terror group laid siege to Marawi City in Lanao del Sur.
“Hanggang hindi sinabi ng pulis pati Armed Forces na safe na ang Philippines, this martial law will continue. Hindi ako makinig sa iba. Mga Supreme Court, yung mga congressman, wala man sila dito,” the President said in a speech to soldiers in Jolo, Sulu.
[Translation: Until the Armed Forces and the police say that the Philippines is safe, this martial law will continue. I will not listen to anyone else, be it the Supreme Court, congressmen. They’re not here.]
READ: Duterte: I will ignore Supreme Court, Congress on martial law
Robredo’s statement comes a day after Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella downplayed Duterte’s remarks. Abella said the President meant he would ultimately rely on advice from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) on the issue to lift or extend military rule in Mindanao.
“As commander in chief he reserves the right to make decisions, but he’s listening of course. He’s a listening president,” Abella said.
The 1987 Constitution gives the Supreme Court and Congress the power to review the President’s declaration of martial law.
Based on the Constitution, Congress has the power to revoke or extend, if necessary, the proclamation of martial law and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus.
The Supreme Court can review the factual bases for the proclamation, and is required to make a decision within 30 days of the filing of an appropriate proceeding by any citizen.
Safeguards against the abuse of martial law were included in the 1987 Constitution following the Philippines’ experience with military rule under the late Ferdinand Marcos from 1972 to 1981, where thousands of human rights abuses occurred.
Robredo on Monday earlier expressed support for Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao.
READ: Robredo ‘respects’ Duterte’s implementation of martial law in Mindanao
But on Tuesday, she said that his remark to ignore the legislative and judicial branches may only make Filipinos more apprehensive of the country’s situation.
