Seven opposition lawmakers on Monday petitioned the Supreme Court to rescind President Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao, arguing that it was based on “patent falsities” and was unconstitutional. ADVERTISEMENT“The President’s proclamation of martial law in Mindanao has no sufficient factual basis as it is feebly based on mostly contrived and/or inaccurate facts, self-serving speculations, enumeration of distant occurrences and mere conclusions of fact and law,” read a portion of the 28-page petition. ‘Magnificent Seven’Besides Lagman, Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat, Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice, Northern Samar Rep. Raul Daza, Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin, Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano and Capiz Rep. Emmanuel Billones signed the petition. “There is no revolution or invasion where the public safety requires the declaration of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Marawi City or elsewhere in Mindanao,” they maintained. “Consequently, it is clear that the armed resistance by the Maute group was not to lay ‘siege’ on Marawi City, but to shield terrorist leaders Hapilon and the Maute brothers,” they added.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer June 05, 2017 16:30 UTC