MANILA – “Lawless violence” shall be one of the grounds for declaring martial law under a Federal Charter, the body President Rodrigo Duterte created to review the 1987 Constitution has proposed.
This revises Section 18, Article VII (Executive Department) of the current Constitution, Consultative Committee (Concom) member Ferdinand Bocobo told a news conference Wednesday.
The term “lawless violence” – which Bocobo defined as terrorism and violent extremism – is already in the 1987 Constitution but not considered a basis for martial law.
“In case of lawless violence, invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it, (the president) may, for a period not exceeding 60 days, place the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law,” Bocobo said as he read the proposed changes.
“Within 48 hours from the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, the President shall submit a report in person or in writing to Congress,” he added.
“Congress, voting jointly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its members in regular or special session, may revoke such proclamation or suspension, which revocation shall not be set aside by the president.
“Upon the initiative of the president, the Congress may, in the same manner, extend such proclamation or suspension for a period to be determined by the Congress if the invasion or rebellion shall persist and public safety requires it.”
The provision was included in the proposed article on the Executive branch of government that was unanimously approved by the 22-member Concom during an en banc session, said Bocobo./PN
