SC upholds martial law proclamation

The Supreme Court (SC) upheld President Rodrigo Duterte’s martial law proclamation or Proclamation 216 in Mindanao with a 11-3-1 vote, dismissing the petitions filed by House of Representatives’ minority bloc, residents of Mindanao, and women from Marawi on Tuesday, July 4.

The decision was issued on the 43rd day of the declaration of martial law. Following the attack of the Islamic State-inspired Maute group, Duterte placed the entire Mindanao under martial law on May 23. The battle between government forces and Maute group still continues with more than 400 dead and thousands displaced.

The 11 Justices affirmed the martial law proclamation in the entire Mindanao while the three – Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, and Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa – wants martial law confined in Marawi. The only one who disagreed was Associate Justice Marvic Leonen.

“The Court dismissed the petitions by a vote of 11 of its members,” the high court said after their en banc (full court) session.

The Philippine flag at the Supreme Court hoisted at half-mast in honor of the fallen troops in the ongoing war in Marawi City. (Photo Courtesy: Marianne Bermudez)

Minority bloc from the House of Representatives led by Albay Representative Edcel Lagman first petitioned against martial law last June 5 and was followed a few days later by a group with their Lumad leader Eufemia Campos Cullamat and a group of Marawi women led by Norkaya Mohamad with the same pleas.

They argued that the President’s declaration does not have sufficient factual basis and that the conditions which are the aftermath of the declaration or suspension cannot be used to justify an errant declaration or suspension.

All the 15 justices have submitted their respective opinion on the matter whether concurring or dissenting, according to High Court’s Information Chief Atty. Theodore Te.