Congress has convened for a Special Joint Session in consideration of the extension of martial law and suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus (allowing warrantless arrest) in Mindanao until end of the year. Based on the Rules of the Special Joint Session adopted by both houses of Congress on Saturday morning, each lawmaker who wishes to question the merits or demerits of the proposed extended martial law by President Rodrigo Duterte will be allotted four minutes. Under the Constitution, the President can declare martial law for an initial period of 60 days in case of rebellion, invasion or when public safety requires it. The Constitution also allows the President to ask Congress for an extension even beyond 60 days, and Congress can extend such proclamation in a joint vote of the House and the Senate. In his letter to Congress for martial law extension, however, the President argued that rebellion from four groups—Maute, Abu Sayyaf, Ansarul Khilafah Philippines and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters—are yet to be suppressed and thus, the need for an extended martial law.

Source: Manila Times July 22, 2017 03:11 UTC