Martial Law in Maguindanao: Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan says;

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.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan says;

Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan assails the government's mishandling of the Maguindanao massacre, particularly the imposition of Martial Law and the violation of the Constitution's Bill of Rights.

"They are clearly violating the 1987 Constitution. The government says that search warrants are not necessary under Martial Law. The Constitution only suspends the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, not the bill of rights. Our justice department is not knowledgeable of our laws and constitution, and that is alarming."

Pangilinan fears that under the current circumstances, the cases filed against the suspects may be nullified due to technicalities.

"This government is taking legal shortcuts, and this can be fatal to the proper prosecution of the cases against the Ampatuans. Evidence seized by way of an illegal search cannot be used as evidence against the accused. Nowhere in the Constitution does it say that the right against illegal searches and seizure is suspended. Martial Law does not suspend the bill of rights. Is this a case of incompetence, or is it deliberate bungling of the case to favor the accused?"

"The AFP admits no clash with armed groups. PNP confirms only one clash, but no casualties. No homes burned and no attacks on government installations. Where's the rebellion? The executive does not hold sole privilege in interpreting the law. That is dangerous. That is why Martial Law is unconstitutional. We want to enforce the law. But in enforcing it, we must not break the law."

Martial Law in Maguindanao