Too hard for senators to justify martial law extension

Contributed by Zephylyn G. Mallari – Balanga City, Bataan

 President Rodrigo Duterte has asked Congress for an extension of the martial law declaration in Mindanao since “he has come to the conclusion” that the siege in Marawi City would not end by July 22, the deadline for the 60-day period of the martial law proclamation as announced by Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella.

“For this reason, that because public safety requires it, I call upon the Congress to extend until 31st of December 2017, or for such period of time as the Congress may determine, the proclamation of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the whole of Mindanao,” said President Duterte in a statement, as delivered by Abella.

Extending the military rule for 60 more days in Marawi City has a high chance of being granted by the congress, but extending it until December 31, 2017 would be very difficult for the congress to justify it.

Senators Soto and Hontiveros already made some pronouncements regarding this matter.

Reference: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net “Martial Law Extension” July 2017; http://news.abs-cbn.com “Martial Law Extension” July 2017