Judiciary to defend freedoms amid Mindanao martial law

June 12, 2017

The judiciary is committed in defending the freedom of the Filipino people that the nation’s heroes fought for, Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno said,in her Independence Day message Monday. Sereno honored "those who have fought for and continue to fight for our country’s freedom and sovereignty" and also to the country's "fallen heroes present and past, all of who sacrificed lives and wealth, safety and comfort." "The judiciary pays homage to all Filipino heroes; draws inspiration from them; reflects with sorrow on the fallen in Marawi; and renews its commitment to the people to defend their freedoms," said Sereno, who begged off an invitation to raise the flag at the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan for Independence Day to prepare for the oral arguments on petitions against President Rodrigo Duterte's martial law proclamation. "June 12, 1898 was a day our forefathers, armed only with an indomitable faith in the Filipino’s destiny, fought for and won at great cost. They charged though the most difficult obstacles so that our nation could live free. Their DNA lives on today in all those who continue to give all they have to ensure that our nation remains free," Sereno added. The Supreme Court conducted preliminary conference on three consolidated petitions by opposition lawmakers led by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, local Mindanao leaders led by Lumad leader Eufemia Campos Cullamat and a group of women from Marawi led by Norkaya Mohamad Monday. It also released guidelines for oral arguments that listed issues to be tackled by parties. Two other petitions were filed by separate groups led by former senators Rene Saguisag and Wigberto Tañada both seeking issuance of a mandamus that would compel Senate and the House of Representatives to convene jointly to review the declaration. The Supreme Court has yet to act on these. DMS