Senate declares Maguindanao martial law illegal

December 14, 2009

 Maila Ager
Inquirer.net
December 15, 2009

MANILA, Philippines—The Senate on Monday adopted a resolution declaring martial law in Maguindanao unconstitutional.

The move, however, came two days after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo lifted Proclamation 1959 which puts the province under martial law.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri moved for the adoption of Senate Resolution 1522 “expressing the sense of the Senate that the proclamation of martial law in the province of Maguindanao is contrary to the provisions of the 1987 Constitution.”

Nobody objected to the motion.

Zubiri also moved that his name be included as author of the resolution, making him the 18th senator to sign the resolution.

The other signatories were Senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Alan Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Loren Legarda, Rodolfo Biazon, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Ma. Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal, Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Richard Gordon, Manuel Villar, Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, and detained Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

Pangilinan said the adoption of the resolution would send a strong message to Malacanang that the Senate by an overwhelming majority vote considered martial law proclamation as “without factual and legal basis.”

“For the Senate, the lifting does not render the issue moot and academic and the resolution is a definitive finding by the upper chamber that the declaration is contrary to the Constitution,” he said in a text message

 

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