NEGROS Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Thursday, December 13, the extension of Martial Law in Mindanao is already expected.
He said the people in Mindanao wants an extension of the military rule.
“It would be hard to go against the wishes of the Mindanaons because they are in favor of extending the Martial Law,” Lacson said.
For the third time, Congress on Wednesday, December 12, approved the request of President Rodrigo Duterte to further extend the implementation of martial law and suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in the island of Mindanao for one more year.
With a total of 235 affirmative votes, 28 negative votes and one abstention, the Senate and the House of Representatives jointly approved the motion of Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya to extend martial rule in Mindanao from January 1 to December 31, 2019.
Meanwhile, Lacson said Ilog Vice Mayor John Paul Alvarez would be able to clear his name on the decision penned against him by the Sandiganbayan.
The Sixth Division of the Sandiganbayan meted a maximum of 10 years imprisonment and perpetual disqualification to hold public office against Alvarez and five other municipal officials for graft charges.
In a decision on December 6, 2018, the graft court sentenced Alvarez along with Municipal Engineer Manuel Sitchon, Planning Officer Elbert Magbato, Budget Officer Hegel Dumadia, Municipal Treasurer Alberto Gidalanon, and Department of Education District Supervisor Arsenia Jaunero after they were found guilty beyond reasonable count for violating section 3 of the Anti- Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Alvarez said he will file a motion for reconsideration. (TDE)