Arroyo to push for extending martial law in Mindanao

August 30, 2018

Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will push for extension of martial law and suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao following the bombing in a town at Sultan Kudarat last Tuesday night that claimed three lives.

“I support martial law in Mindanao. I’ll support what the President does because I’ve been President and I believe that he does not need a peanut gallery to tell him what to do,” Arroyo told reporters in an ambush interview after attending the blessing of the Romana Pangan District Hospital in Floridablanca, Pampanga.

House Majority Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., who chairs the House committee on rules, has the same position.

“The declaration of Martial Law is the call of the Executive. The President declares or extends, Congress concurs.  If the President will ask for it, then it shall be given,” Andaya told reporters.

Andaya urged the Palace to convene the National Security Council (NSC) and Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) to discuss the progress of the Marawi rehabilitation program and the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

“I would suggest, though, that Malacanang call a meeting of the National Security Council, or even LEDAC to discuss the progress of the Marawi rehabilitation and the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law,” said Andaya.

“What are the financing bottlenecks for example? Bottomline, the people of Mindanao should be consulted. The inputs and views of the Mindanao bloc in the House are important. Those in or around ground zero should be consulted. Civilian views should be part of the discussion,” he said.

During Wednesday’s budget hearing at the House of Representatives, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea bared that martial law extension remains an option by the government. DMS