Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 27) – The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) asked the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday to dismiss petitions seeking to compel Congress to jointly convene to review the declaration of martial law in Mindanao.
In its comment, the OSG argued the constitution didn’t require Congress to convene in joint session to determine the validity of the declaration of martial law in Mindanao and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus.
It pointed out that only in cases of revocation or extension of the proclamation or suspension that Congress was required to vote jointly.
The OSG also explained that the constitution was silent when it came to the duty of Congress to perform any act upon the proclamation of martial law.
This meant, the OSG said, the act of Congress to vote jointly was not mandatory when the action to be taken was to affirm or express support to the proclamation.
Two petitions had been filed with the high court asking to take such action.
Related: Alvarez: Constitutional crisis possible if SC convenes a session to discuss Mindanao martial law
House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez had said that he would ignore any order from the SC asking lawmakers to convene on martial law — saying co-equal branches of government cannot dictate upon one another.
CNN Philippines’ Anjo Alimario contributed to this report.
