Historic joint session on martial law starts with lawmakers trading barbs

The historic joint session of the House of Representatives and the Senate to deliberate on the imposition of martial rule in Maguindanao started with lawmakers trading barbs.

Makati City Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr. accused Maguindanao Rep. Didagen Dilangalen of "forum shopping." Dilangalen, an opposition lawmaker, assailed President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who did not attend the session. Locsin advised Dilangalen to instead go to a mall to do his shopping. Outraged by Locsin's comment, Dilangalen said the Makati representative's statement was "preposterous," and "out of order." He said Locsin had no basis for saying he was forum shopping as this only applies to those filing cases before several courts. Dilangalen then moved to declare Locsin out of order, which prompted the two chambers to suspend the joint session. Eighteen senators and 192 House members were present for the joint session, which began around 4 p.m. The two chambers of Congress will discuss Mrs. Arroyo's Proclamation 1959, which placed Maguindanao under martial rule and suspended the writ of habeas corpus within the province except for certain areas. The joint session on martial law is the first in history since the post-Marcos era. The last time martial rule was imposed was in 1972, which officially lasted until 1981. A majority vote from Congress, which will be voting jointly, is needed to revoke Proclamation 1959. With a total of 268 House members and 24 senators, at least 147 votes are needed to lift martial law in Maguindanao. Under the rules for the joint session, each chamber of Congress will be given a maximum of 10 hours each to question the Palace, military, and police officials on the floor. Those present to explain the declaration of martial law and answer queries from the lawmakers are Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, and national police chief Dir. Gen. Jesus Verzosa. Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales, who is currently in Singapore to oversee the government's peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and Armed Forces chief Gen. Victor Ibrado, who has just landed from China, sent representatives on his behalf. Senators Manuel Roxas II and Richard Gordon earlier questioned Gonzales' absence. - JOHANNA CAMILLE SISANTE/TJD, GMANews.TV