It was learned that Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and AFP chief Gen. Eduardo Año attended the closed-door session. Lorenzana is the martial law administrator while Año is the martial law implementor, based on Proclamation 216, the martial law declaration signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last May 23. Calida had asked the court to hold an executive session because of the sensitivity of the issues involved, particularly on matters of national security. This will help the justices decide whether or not the declaration of martial law was valid. The first petition on the martial law proclamation was filed by lawmakers from the opposition led by Edcel Lagman, Tomasito Villarin, Gary Alejano, Emmanuel Billones and Teodoro Baguilat Jr.

Source: Manila Times June 15, 2017 16:18 UTC