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SC yet to rule on martial law issue


The Supreme Court on Tuesday deferred its oral argument on the seven petitions filed questioning the constitutionality of Proclamation 1959, which placed the entire Maguindanao province under martial law. Instead, the high court directed all the parties to submit their respective comments within 20 days on the issue of whether the case has been rendered moot with the lifting of martial law last Saturday. On Monday, a group led by former Senate President Jovito Salonga filed a motion asking the court to immediately act on the controversial proclamation, which was issued last December 4 to contain what the government said is a looming rebellion in the province. In their motion, the group Kilosbayan claimed that such declaration would be repeated again in the future if the court would not rule on its merit. “Respondent Macapagal-Arroyo’s action is capable of repetition yet evading review. There is a high probability that Arroyo might again place Maguindanao province and even the whole island of Mindanao under martial law due to a perceived notion on the part of the Executive that there is a looming rebellion. Hence, for the strict Constitutional guidance of the Executive, there is an urgent need to adjudicate on the fundamental Constitutional issues raised by the instant petition," the group said. But acting SC spokesperson Gleo Guerra said the 30-day period within which the high court is required to rule on the petitions relating to martial law no longer applies due to the lifting of Proclamation 1959. President Arroyo placed Maguindanao under martial rule -- the first of such declaration after the late President Ferdinand Marcos placed the country under it more than 30 years ago -- after receiving reports from security officials that heavily-armed men were massing to resist government troops in the province. The armed men were reportedly supporters and private armies of the powerful Ampatuan clan, which is implicated in the grisly massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao last Nov. 23. - KBK, GMANews.TV

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