House adopts resolution supporting PRRD’s martial law declaration

House of Representatives. (Photo: House of Representatives of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA—With overwhelming “ayes”, The House of Representatives on Wednesday adopted a resolution expressing its “full support” to President Rodrigo Duterte in his declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

According to House Resolution No. 1050, the Committee of the Whole had found “no reason to revoke” Duterte’s Proclamation 216 entitled “Declaring a state of martial law and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the whole of Mindanao”.

The lower chamber constituted itself as a Committee of the Whole to tackle the President’s report on the martial law declaration.

The committee received a briefing by the different department heads of the executive branch including Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, and other Cabinet officials.

“During the said briefing and after interpellation, the Members of the House of Representatives determined the sufficiency of the factual basis for the issuance of Proclamation No. 216,” the resolution read.

For its part, the minority bloc led by Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez has also expressed support to the declaration of martial law in Southern Philippines.

“The Marawi attack by the Maute group may be tantamount to rebellion, which justifies the declaration of martial law from a legal perspective,” Suarez said on behalf of the 17-member bloc.

“From the perspective of district and sectoral representatives protecting the welfare of millions of Filipinos, Martial Law is necessary to protect the lives and safety of those under our care,” he added.