As explained by the lady senator, the legislature has the constitutional duty to scrutinize the report of the President on the declaration of martial law before a joint session; further noting that lawmakers have the duty to evaluate if the declaration has basis or not, an article published by GMA News Online mentioned.
Earlier, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel disclosed that Congress only needs to convene jointly if it intends to revoke or limit the President’s order. On the other hand, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez expressed full support for the Chief Executive’s declaration.
As such, House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas stressed that the House and the Senate only need to convene if the submission is made by the President himself to Congress.
Considering all commentaries on the matter, Hontiveros then called on the lawmakers to not take the issue “lightly.”
“With all due respect to the leaders of the two chambers of the legislature, but how can we get the exact sense of the majority of the lawmakers if we don’t convene in a joint session? I hope the legislature is not taking the declaration of martial law lightly,” the lady senator was quoted saying.
As explained by Hontiveros, there are no provisions in the 1987 Constitution that say a joint session on martial law declaration is optional; citing further that a joint session could be an opportunity for lawmakers to show the public where they stand on the current issues.
Likewise, Hontiveros stated that the public deserve to know where their lawmakers stand on this important matter.
President Duterte placed the entire Mindanao island under martial law at 10 p.m. Tuesday following reported attacks of the Maute group in Marawi City.
In his previous speeches, the president said that once he declares martial law in Mindanao, he would want to solve all of the security problems there, once and for all.
As such, House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas stressed that the House and the Senate only need to convene if the submission is made by the President himself to Congress.
Considering all commentaries on the matter, Hontiveros then called on the lawmakers to not take the issue “lightly.”
“With all due respect to the leaders of the two chambers of the legislature, but how can we get the exact sense of the majority of the lawmakers if we don’t convene in a joint session? I hope the legislature is not taking the declaration of martial law lightly,” the lady senator was quoted saying.
As explained by Hontiveros, there are no provisions in the 1987 Constitution that say a joint session on martial law declaration is optional; citing further that a joint session could be an opportunity for lawmakers to show the public where they stand on the current issues.
Likewise, Hontiveros stated that the public deserve to know where their lawmakers stand on this important matter.
President Duterte placed the entire Mindanao island under martial law at 10 p.m. Tuesday following reported attacks of the Maute group in Marawi City.
In his previous speeches, the president said that once he declares martial law in Mindanao, he would want to solve all of the security problems there, once and for all.
source: gmanetwork
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