Arroyo's absence at joint session on martial law slammed

A representative from Maguindanao, where the recent massacre of 57 people took place, has branded as discourteous the absence of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during Wednesday's joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Didagen Dilangalen said that while Mrs. Arroyo had the option not to attend the joint session in Congress, she should have nonetheless showed up as a sign of courtesy to what was considered a "historic event" in Philippine legislature. "Does the president have any courtesy at all to inform us in person why she declared personally," said Dilangalen, a relative of the suspects being investigated for the November 23 grisly killings. "I think the President may not consider this as not very important to her, why is she not here," he added. Under the 1987 Constitution, the President is given 48 hours to submit to Congress in person or in writing an explanation for the declaration of martial law. Mrs. Arroyo submitted her report Sunday night. Speaker Prospero Nograles stressed the portion in the provision that states the President may opt to submit a written explanation in lieu of her personal appearance. Sen. Aquilino Pimentel, however, claimed that the document submitted last Sunday by Mrs. Arroyo could not be considered as the report, but merely "a copy of the report." He shared Dilangalen's position that President Arroyo should have participated in the joint session for the deliberation on the merits of imposing martial law in Maguindanao. - MARK D. MERUEÑAS/TJD, GMANews.TV