The Supreme Court (SC) is inclined to hold oral arguments on petitions that seek to stop the one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao. According to well-placed sources of The Manila Times in the High Court, SC justices are bent on recommending the holding of oral arguments to hear pros and cons of the petitions. The SC is set to consolidate the two petitions already filed before it that assail the extension of martial law in Mindanao in southern Philippines. In a 240-27 vote, both chambers of Congress approved Duterte’s request to extend the declaration of martial law in Mindanao until the end of 2018. Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has issued a resolution that asks government officials to comment on the petition filed by Lagman and other opposition lawmakers belonging to the “Magnificent 7” bloc.

Source: Manila Times January 09, 2018 12:45 UTC