Majority of House favors martial law in Maguindanao, Speaker says
The majority of the members of the House of Representatives favor President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's declaration of martial law in Maguindanao province, the chamber's leader said Saturday. "The majority of the members think that the decision by the President is correct. The fact is that many say it should have been done sooner," said House Speaker Prospero Nograles in a text message to GMANews.TV. The apparent approval of House members of the decision is a signal of how Congress, the only body which can revoke the President's decision, may act in the next 48 hours, the period prescribed by the law for the President to "submit a report in person or in writing to the Congress." "Personally, I think that in this case both Houses of Congress do not indicate any majority numbers with any intention to revoke the proclamation which is only good for 60 days," said Nograles, who said he himself will author a resolution of support for the declaration. The wording of the proclamation, however, does not indicate a duration for martial law. Nograles said he will first call a caucus of all members on Monday to decide what agenda they will put on the floor. However, since Monday is traditionally reserved for privilege speeches, "anybody can stand up and support or attack it," he said. Expected to go against the declaration are some opposition lawmakers who question the constitutionality of Proclamation 1959, which also suspends the writ of habeas corpus in the province except "for certain areas." "Under the Constitution, (President Arroyo) may only declare martial law or suspend the writ of habeas corpus in case of invasion or rebellion," said deputy minority leader Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo. "Neither of these conditions exist in Maguindanao, ergo Proc 1959 is unconstitutional. The reported massing of armed groups do not yet constitute rebellion, and can be dealt with under a state of emergency," said Ocampo. Maguindanao had already been placed under a state of emergency shortly after the November 23 massacre where at least 57 people, including 30 journalists, were brutally killed by around 100 armed men allegedly under orders from members of the powerful Ampatuan clan, which, until recently, was a stalwart ally of Mrs. Arroyo's Lakas-Kampi-CMD political party. Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño noted that "things are already moving" even if Mrs. Arroyo had not declared martial law. Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., the prime suspect in the massacre, had already been detained and charged with 25 counts of murder a few days ago. Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada, spokesperson of the Liberal Party, called the declaration of martial law in Maguindanao an "over-reaction." "The LP believes that the declaration of martial law fails the constitutional test," said Tañada. "The people should remain vigilant," he added. "Malacañang has found a way to get the House and Senate to meet jointly. There might be another agenda once Congress meets jointly." Mrs. Arroyo has filed for candidacy for congresswoman of Pampanga, raising fears that once she wins, she will lead efforts to amend the 1987 Constitution to change the form of government to parliamentary, where she can potentially be elected prime minister. - JHU,TJD, GMANews.TV