Martial Law in Maguindanao: NP says: Beware of martial law expansion

Martial Law in Maguindanao

Now, therefore I, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and by law, do hereby proclaim as follows:

Sec. 1: There is hereby declared a state of martial law in the province of Maguindanao except for the identified areas of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front as referred to in the implementing operational guidelines of the GRP-MILF agreement on the General Cessation of Hostilities.

Sec. 2: The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall likewise be suspended in the aforesaid area for the duration of the state of martial law.

Done in the City of Manila this 4th day of December in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Nine.

(Originally Signed)

Gloria M. Arroyo

By the President:

(Originally Signed)

Eduardo Ermita
Executive Secretary

Congress in Joint Session

House Speaker Prospero C. Nograles and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile jointly preside over the historic opening of the joint session of Congress at the Batasan Pambansa solely convened to tackle Presidential Proclamation No. 1959 declaring Martial Law in the province of Maguindanao, following the gruesome and brutal killing of more than 50 people including more than a dozen members of the media. The ongoing joint session will vote on whether to concur or revoke the presidential edict. Shown are Senators and Congressmen listening intently during plenary proceedings of Congress which converted itself into a "committee of the whole" to allow members of the President's Cabinet, led by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera, and DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno, to explain and answer all queries raised in plenary to justify the presidential proclamation.

Friday, December 4, 2009

NP says: Beware of martial law expansion

The spokesperson of the Nacionalista Party (NP) on Saturday pointed out two "specific acts" that should be guarded against after President Arroyo declared martial law in Maguindanao on Saturday.

“While we support the military and police in their effort to instill peace and order in Mindanao, the Nacionalista Party points out two specific acts we must guard against as offshoots on the declaration of martial law in the area,” NP spokesperson Gilbert Remulla said.

Remulla said the joint session of Congress must not be used to convene a Constituent Assembly.

Within 48 hours, Mrs. Arroyo must submit a report to Congress on her declaration and the situation in Maguindanao. Congress will assess the report and decide whether to revoke the declaration.

“Prudence dictates that the declaration must be specific, time bound, and focused in its objectives given our previous experience regarding martial law,” said Remulla.

Secondly, Remulla pointed out that the presence of the Ampatuans and related clans in other areas like Metro Manila must not be used to justify the expansion of martial law.

“We will fight any efforts to expand martial law all over the country and use the situation to convene Congress into a constituent assembly,”

Martial Law in Maguindanao