Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 14) — The Supreme Court resumed on Wednesday the oral arguments on three consolidated petitions challenging the declaration of martial law in Mindanao.
The June 14 oral arguments started at 10 a.m. Listen to the Supreme Court’s audio livestream below:
During the first oral arguments on Tuesday, petitioners argued that the Marawi crisis is not a ground for declaring martial law in Mindanao.
Albay 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman, who stood as a counsel for petitioners against the declaration of martial rule before the Supreme Court, said acts of terrorism did not necessarily equate to actual rebellion.
Related: Marawi crisis not grounds for martial law – petitioners
“The alleged ‘siege’ of Marawi City is actually an armed resistance by the Maute Group to shield Hapilon from capture, not to overrun Marawi and remove its allegiance from the Republic,” Lagman told the high court Tuesday.
Duterte said he imposed martial law in the entire Mindanao on May 23 due to security problems in Marawi City, Sulu, Zamboanga peninsula, Central Mindanao, and the Davao Region.
Solicitor General Jose Calida, who is defending the President’s proclamation, is confident they will win the case.
“Ang dami naming depensa. Mas matindi ang depensa namin dito kesa depensa ng Maute,” Calida said in an interview after the arguments.
[Translation: We have many defenses. Our defense is stronger than the defense of Maute.”]
Lagman and his fellow petitioners said they were seeking the nullification of Proclamation No. 216 to prevent the recurrence of the misuse and abuse of martial law.
The Supreme Court will hear the three consolidated petitions challenging the declaration of martial law in Mindanao until June 15.
