MANILA, Philippines (Updated 2:12 p.m.) — The Supreme Court on Tuesday, voting 9-4, upheld the constitutionality of the extension of President Rodrigo Duterte’s martial law in Mindanao until the end of 2019. This is the third time that the high court affirmed the constitutionality and factual basis of martial law rule in the region. JUST IN: Supreme Court votes 9-4 to uphold constitutionality of government’s third martial law extension in Mindanao. The SC upheld constitutionality of Duterte’s martial law declaration and its subsequent year-long extensions until the end of 2017 and of 2018, respectively. Associate Justice Ramon Paul HernandoAssociate Justice Rosmari Carandang*DissentSenior Associate Justice Antonio CarpioAssociate Justice Marvic LeonenAssociate Justice Francis JardelezaAssociate Justice Benjamin Caguioa

Source: Philippine Star February 19, 2019 04:52 UTC