Officials back on hot seat as Congress resumes joint session

Government officials found themselves back on the hot seat Thursday afternoon as Congress resumed its joint session on the declaration of martial law over Maguindanao.

First to interpellate after the session resumed past 2 p.m. was Senator Francis Pangilinan, who grilled the officials on the validity of Proclamation 1959, which placed Maguindanao under martial rule and suspended the writ of habeas corpus in several areas in the province. At the start of his interpellation, Pangilinan asked why martial law was declared in Maguindanao even if there were no violent clashes between rebels and government troops that could justify such declaration. He noted that the government did not place the province under martial rule in 2000, 2001 and 2008 despite the violent clashes that happened there in those years. When Pangilinan asked Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera about her claim that Proclamation 1959 was declared to contain an allegedly deliberate and synchronized move to paralyze the government institution, she answered that the question is better answered by police officials. The senator said Devanadera herself should give him an answer because it was part of her report. He cited the statement of Maguindanao Rep. Didagen Dilangalen that the local justice system was not functioning because of government inaction, and not due to rebellion. "The Maguindanao courts are not functioning because of government inaction. It failed to fill up the vacancies. Seven of the eight regional trial courts in the province have not designated judges," Pangilinan said. Aside from Devanadera, top officials present to answer lawmakers' queries were Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales, Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa and Armed Forces chief General Victor Ibrado. Except for Gonzales, all were present when the joint session began 4 p.m. Wednesday. Gonzales was then in Singapore. Those in the House line-up of interpellators include Makati City Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr., Cebu City Rep. Raul del Mar, and Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali Gonzales II. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued Proclamation 1959 nearly two weeks after the November 23 massacre that killed at least 57 people, including 30 journalists. Some members of the powerful Ampatuan clan, closely allied with the Arroyo administration before the massacre, have since been arrested and charged. Congress in a joint session can revoke the proclamation with a majority vote. With 268 House members and 23 senators, at least 147 votes are needed to lift martial law in Maguindanao. - Johanna Camille Sisante and Amita Legaspi/ KBK/RSJ/TJD, GMANews.TV