Year-Long Martial Law Extension In Mindanao Approved By Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has already granted the year-long Martial Law extension in the region of Mindanao to secure peace and order.
On Tuesday (February 06, 2018), 10 magistrates have voted in favor of Mindanao martial law extension, while other 5 members of the Court voted against the proclamation.
Four petitions were filed at the High Court challenging the constitutionality of the extension of Mindanao martial law.
Supreme Court spokesperson Theodore Te has released the list of those who voted in favor and opposing the extension of martial law in Mindanao.
In Favor
- Associate Justice Noel G. Tijam
- Associate Justice Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr.
- Associate Justice Teresita J. Leonardo-De Castro
- Associate Justice Diosdado M. Peralta
- Associate Justice Lucas P. Bersamin
- Associate Justice Mariano C. Del Castillo
- Associate Justice Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe
- Associate Justice Samuel R. Martires
- Associate Justice Andres Reyes Jr.
- Associate Justice Alexander Gesmundo
Not In Favor
- Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno
- Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio
- Associate Justice Marvic Leonen
- Associate Justice Francis H. Jardeleza
- Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa
Sereno, Carpio, and Caguioa said that martial law should be only limited to Marawi City and nearby areas. Jardeleza was in favor and Leonen opposes the ruling citing that there is no basis for the declaration based on last year’s ruling.
The petitioners opposing the second extension of martial law in Mindanao argued that there is no factual basis for the ruling due to the absence of firefights in Southern Philippines.
However, Solicitor General Jose Calida has defended SC’s decision saying that there is an ongoing rebellion in the region.
While President Rodrigo Duterte has cited the remaining security threats in Mindanao in seeking the extension of the martial ruling to ensure the safety of the public.
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