15 OUT OF 23 SENATORS BELONG TO MAJORITY BLOC OF DUTERTE's MARTIAL LAW

<div style="text-align: center;"> <b><span style="font-size: large;"> 15 senators express support for Duterte’s martial law</span></b></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4J_EWC5nXzRbX4l0fkKPlfJRGPMwLYLttzpsXxavl4V_fUAZrG54KW73WFMyHxztubPTfYb0b1Sza2y4VDmIMwaSuFPNa-HTvsg8eAXXx0RYOqM2Bb8uSqTivDmYzKrKWbCt4p2Z1R-IC/s1600/congress+over+martial+law.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt=" 15 senators express support for Duterte’s martial law" border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="1013" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4J_EWC5nXzRbX4l0fkKPlfJRGPMwLYLttzpsXxavl4V_fUAZrG54KW73WFMyHxztubPTfYb0b1Sza2y4VDmIMwaSuFPNa-HTvsg8eAXXx0RYOqM2Bb8uSqTivDmYzKrKWbCt4p2Z1R-IC/s400/congress+over+martial+law.png" title="15 OUT OF 23 SENATORS BELONG TO MAJORITY BLOC OF DUTERTE's MARTIAL LAW" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Fifteen senators think there is “no compelling reason to revoke” martial law in Mindanao, as they expressed full support for President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration.<br /> <br /> Senate Resolution 388 expressing the sense of the Senate supporting Duterte’s martial law declaration was filed on Monday by 15 out of the 23 senators, all of whom belong to the majority bloc.<br /> <br /> “The acts committed by the Maute group are an open attempt to remove from the allegiance to the Philippine Government the part of Mindanao and deprive the Chief Executive of its powers and prerogatives to enforce laws of the land and to maintain public order and safety in Mindanao, hence constitutes the crime of rebellion,” the resolution read.<br /> <br /> “The Senate finds the issuance of Proclamation No. 216 to be satisfactory, constitutional and in accordance with the law. The Senate hereby supports fully Proclamation No. 216 and finds no compelling reason to revoke the same,” it added.<br /> <br /> The resolution was signed by Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, and Senators Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, JV Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian, Richard Gordon, Gringo Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda, Manny Pacquiao, Joel Villanueva, Cynthia Villar, and Miguel Zubiri.<br /> <br /> Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Grace Poe are the only two majority bloc senators who did not sign the resolution.<br /> <br /> In a text message, Escudero said he was’t aware of the filing of such resolution.<br /> <br /> “I would have voted against revocation at this time in a joint session once a member of Congress files a motion to so revoke,” Escudero said.<br /> <br /> In a separate statement, Poe said that she does not object to martial law “if it is the pathway to ensuring the safety of our countrymen in Marawi.”<br /> <br /> While issuing a resolution supporting martial law is not required by law, Poe said it would have been “prudent” if the Senate highlighted the safeguards provided in the Constitution.<br /> <br /> “I will not renege on my duty in striking a balance between ensuring the safety of our kababayans in Marawi, and in ensuring that the constitutional safeguards against abuses are followed,” Poe said.<br /> <br /> <b>Minority bloc</b><br /> <span style="color: lime;"><br /></span> <a href="http://www.weblogph.com/2017/05/minority-bloc-filed-resolution-to.html"><span style="color: blue;">The six members of the Senate minority bloc, meanwhile, has filed a resolution also on Monday calling for a joint session on martial law.</span></a><br /> <br /> Senate Resolution No. 350 was signed by Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, and Senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, Risa Hontiveros, Leila de Lima and Antonio Trillanes IV.<br /> <br /> The resolution said the joint session was necessary to determine the “constitutional and factual validity” of Proclamation No. 216 declaring martial law in Mindanao following the attacks of the ISIS-inspired Maute group in Marawi City.<br /> <br /> Congress has only two session days to discuss the two resolutions concerning martial law before it adjourns sine die.<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/612593/15-senators-express-support-for-duterte-s-martial-law/story/">Source link</a></span></div>

Martial Law News Philippine Government 15 OUT OF 23 SENATORS BELONG TO MAJORITY BLOC OF DUTERTE's MARTIAL LAW

 15 senators express support for Duterte’s martial law Fifteen senators think there is “no compelling reason to revoke” martial law in...

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MINORITY BLOC FILED RESOLUTION TO CONVENE CONGREE IN JOINT SESSION

<div style="text-align: center;"> <b><span style="font-size: large;"> Senate minority bloc calls for joint session on Mindanao martial law</span></b></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApY8zj9ucDdqZe-MyFPKMD84vk8ts_M5KXj0o0feslqVaiyqlBJ-ggwudLIoNuP99DwKslN_26M98N1ijG6Es4BLLTLu0RBHvwjV-l6yO371J140lhDGSyRsh_6KmsIZCADE8SOMEAeOQ/s1600/mijortity+bloc.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Senate minority bloc calls for joint session on Mindanao martial law" border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="643" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApY8zj9ucDdqZe-MyFPKMD84vk8ts_M5KXj0o0feslqVaiyqlBJ-ggwudLIoNuP99DwKslN_26M98N1ijG6Es4BLLTLu0RBHvwjV-l6yO371J140lhDGSyRsh_6KmsIZCADE8SOMEAeOQ/s400/mijortity+bloc.png" title="MINORITY BLOC FILED RESOLUTION TO CONVENE CONGREE IN JOINT SESSION" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> The Senate minority bloc on Monday filed a resolution to convene Congress in joint session and review President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao.<br /> <br /> Senate Resolution No. 350 was signed by Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, and Senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, Risa Hontiveros, Leila de Lima and Antonio Trillanes IV.<br /> <br /> The resolution said the joint session was necessary to determine the “constitutional and factual validity” of Proclamation No. 216 declaring martial law in Mindanao following the attacks of the ISIS-inspired Maute group in Marawi City.<br /> <br /> “It is incumbent upon the Senate and the House of Representatives to conduct a joint session for the purpose of determining the constitutional and factual validity of the proclamation, of preventing abuses in its implementation, and ensuring the safety of the people of Marawi and the whole of Mindanao,” the bloc said.<br /> <br /> The opposition group cited a Supreme Court (SC) decision in 2012, which says that the President and Congress “act in tandem” in exercising the power to proclaim martial law or suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus.<br /> <br /> Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III earlier said it will be “useless” to convene Congress in a joint session if there is no intention to revoke the martial law declaration.<br /> <br /> Article VII, Section 18 of the Constitution states Congress may revoke the proclamation “voting jointly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its members in regular or special session.”<br /> <br /> In an interview, Pimentel said the resolution filed by the minority bloc will undergo the usual reference of business.<br /> <br /> “I don’t think we will talk about joint session [today]. We can talk about the report, inputs ng DND, questions. It will eat a lot of time already,” Pimentel told reporters before the senators went in closed-door executive session with security officials to discuss the martial law declaration.<br /> <br /> The Senate has only two days before it adjourns session sine die on Wednesday.<br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/612517/senate-minority-bloc-calls-for-joint-session-on-mindanao-martial-law/story/?just_in"><br /></a></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/612517/senate-minority-bloc-calls-for-joint-session-on-mindanao-martial-law/story/?just_in">Source link</a></span></div>

Martial Law Minority Bloc News Philippine Government MINORITY BLOC FILED RESOLUTION TO CONVENE CONGREE IN JOINT SESSION

 Senate minority bloc calls for joint session on Mindanao martial law The Senate minority bloc on Monday filed a resolution to convene...

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ALVAREZ TO MARTIAL LAW CRITICS: **Mag Presidente Muna Sila**

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b>Alvarez hits back at martial law critics: ‘Mag-presidente muna sila’</b></div> <blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Alvarez reiterated that it is within Duterte’s mandate to make such proclamation.<br /> Duterte’s official declaration—dated May 23.<br /> The President had tagged the group for “crime of rebellion”.</blockquote> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK376dMPBlaXAq4pzTPN_nhPtkQVENe2V9ilBNbIXjJJpei8-x8JDRXQSM89BGY6GdBgEQaZQHbv86WMR7apSxRs7EPkxES5azUG82ftDmd9fAn9OKxDbpO7SgQNI2zH9ESpsYfuAXab1m/s1600/Martial+Law.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Alvarez hits back at martial law critics: ‘Mag-presidente muna sila’" border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="730" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK376dMPBlaXAq4pzTPN_nhPtkQVENe2V9ilBNbIXjJJpei8-x8JDRXQSM89BGY6GdBgEQaZQHbv86WMR7apSxRs7EPkxES5azUG82ftDmd9fAn9OKxDbpO7SgQNI2zH9ESpsYfuAXab1m/s400/Martial+Law.png" title="ALVAREZ TO MARTIAL LAW CRITICS: **Mag Presidente Muna Sila**" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Thursday hit back at critics of President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> In a television interview, Alvarez reiterated that it is within Duterte’s mandate to make such proclamation, and that the President is privy to information on what is really happening on the group.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> “Well, alam n’yo po, mag-presidente muna sila,” the Speaker said when asked to respond to critics.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> “‘Yun po ang kapangyarihan na ibinigay ng ating Saligang Batas sa Pangulo ng Pilipinas, ‘ung pagdedesisyon kung kinakailangan ba na magdeklara ng martia law o hindi, at makapag-address ng rebelyon sa ating bansa. At ito po ay malinaw sa ating Saligang Batas na ang ating Pangulo ay may kapangyarihan na magdeklara ng rebelyon either sa buong bansa o kaya doon sa mga lugar na apektado po ng rebelyon,” he added.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Duterte’s official declaration—dated May 23, Tuesday, and “done in the Russian Federation”—places “the whole of Mindanao” under martial law for a period “not exceeding sixty days.” He also suspended the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus there for the said period.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> The President had tagged the group for “crime of rebellion” for acts they perpetrated in Marawi City this week, including a “takeover” of a hospital, burning “certain government and private facilities,” and “flying the flag of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in several areas” there.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> “[T]his recent attack shows the capability of the Maute group and other rebel groups to sow terror, and cause death and damage to property not only in Lanao del Sur but also in other parts of Mindanao,” the proclamation read.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Concerns have been raised over details of the proclamation, including its duration, as well as why it needed to cover the whole region.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> The Speaker, who represents the first district of Davao del Norte, said those who question the proclamation better go to Marawi City to know the real situation.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> “Mabuti po siguro kung ‘yung mga nagkokomento po, pumunta mismo sa Marawi, at tingnan po ‘yung sitwasyon. Taga-Mindanao po ako ma’am, at kabisado ko po yung terrain doon. Tama po yung ginawa ng ating Pangulo,” he said.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> “Para po magsalita tayo na siguro puwede na ‘yung emergency powers, puwede na po ‘yung ano… nandito po tayo sa Manila, napakalayo po natin para magsalita tayo nang ganoon. So ipaubaya po natin sa ating military ‘yan at mas alam nila kung ano ang nangyayari, at mas alam nila kung paano po i-a-address yung problema na ito,” he added.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> The Speaker also noted that there are safeguards in place under the Constitution, saying the martial law in place in Mindanao will not be the same as the one imposed by the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> “Kung basahin lang po nila ‘yung probisyon ng Constitution, marami pong mga safeguards na inilagay ‘yung 1987 Constitution upang sa ganoon ay hindi maabuso ‘yung martial law. Malinaw po diyan na hindi po suspended ang operation ng civil authorities, hindi po suspended ang operations ng mga korte,” he said.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> “So diyan po ay manalig po tayo na kapag bukas po ang mga institutions na ito ay siguradong hindi po ito maaabuso, at dagdag pa rito, ‘yung martial law noon, kung inyong matatandaan, ay lahat po ng mga himpilan ay sarado po, wala pong media noong araw, hindi po kagaya ngayon na malaya po tayong nagsasalita,” he added.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Under the 1987 Constitution, the President is required to report to Congress 48 hours after he issued his proclamation. The House and the Senate, via joint session and a joint voting, may revoke or extend the period of the state of martial law.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Congress leaders, who have implied support for the declaration, have said there is no need to convene for a joint session.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> The copy of the official declaration was sent to both the House and the Senate late Wednesday night, nearly 24 hours since Malacañang announced Duterte’s decision.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #d0e0e3;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/national/alvarez-hits-back-at-martial-law-critics-%E2%80%98mag-presidente-muna-sila%E2%80%99/ar-BBBvIGF?li=BBr8Mkn">Source link</a></span></div>

Martial Law News President duterte ALVAREZ TO MARTIAL LAW CRITICS: **Mag Presidente Muna Sila**

Alvarez hits back at martial law critics: ‘Mag-presidente muna sila’ Alvarez reiterated that it is within Duterte’s mandate to make such ...

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