HOUSE Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas on Thursday explained why the Congress need not convene this week to tackle the martial law declaration of President Rodrigo Duterte in Mindanao.
The Constitution provides that the President shall submit a report to Congress within 48 hours from the proclamation of martial law, which the lawmakers may revoke or extend.
But according to Fariñas' interpretation of the Constitution, the President can freely declare a 60-day martial law sans the Congress approval.
"The President has the power to proclaim martial law for a period of not more than 60 days without congressional approval...The Congress has to act only if it shall revoke such proclamation. If it is in favor of the proclamation, it does not have to act, but nothing prevents either or both Houses from expressing support," Fariñas said.
According to the Majority Leader, both chambers of Congress must file their own resolution in order to convene and review the martial law declaration.
"As I explained separately to the Makabayan bloc and Manong Edcel [Lagman] last night, a Joint Session requires a Concurrent Resolution of both houses to call Congress into such Joint Session. If either does not want to, how can you have a Joint Session," Fariñas explained.
Fariñas added that the Mindanaoan lawmakers are even set to file a resolution expressing support to Duterte's move to put Mindanao under military rule.
"Members from Mindanao agreed to issue a Resolution of support to such proclamation," he said.
On Tuesday evening, Duterte while in the middle of a trip in Moscow, Russia declared martial law in the entire Mindanao as response to the crisis in Marawi City brought about by the attacks of Isis-inspired terrorist group Maute. (SunStar Philippines)