Lagman: No martial law extension should exceed 60 days

Rep. Edcel Lagman, right, said on Monday that any extension of martial law should not exceed 60 days, contradicting an earlier proposal of House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to continue placing Mindanao under army rule until 2022.

Philippines — An opposition congressman shot down on Monday suggestions that the military rule in effect in Mindanao could be extended for years, saying any extension should not last more than 60 days as provided by the constitution.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman (LP) said in a statement that any extension to be granted by Congress should not go beyond 60 days as stipulated in the 1987 Constitution as talks of a possible continuation of martial law swirled over the weekend.

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez (PDP-Laban) said that, if it were up to him, he would push for a five-year period of army rule in Mindanao.

“It stands to reason that any extension should not exceed the original maximum period of sixty days as provided in the Constitution,” said Lagman, who belongs to the “Magnificent Seven” group of lawmakers in the House who are not part of the official minority but have been vigorous in questioning and criticizing many of the government programs and policies.

The House minority bloc has, in contrast, generally been supportive of the administration.

The opposition lawmaker’s statement came after Alvarez, who represents Davao Del Norte’s 1^st District, said over the weekend that he would push for the extension of martial law in Mindanao until 2022, the year when President Rodrigo Duterte's term ends.

Citing his roots on the island, Alvarez said he is supportive of the idea to continue placing Mindanao, where 22 million people reside, under military rule.

He said that martial law would end the rebellion and lawlessness that have been hounding the region for years.

The military however said that a five-year extension proposed by Alvarez would be too long considering the current situation in the region.

"Actually, five years may be too long for the moment," Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, spokesperson of the AFP, said in a press briefing at Malacañang.

Allies of the president at the Senate also expressed support for plans to extend martial law in the region although not for five years as the House leader proposed.

Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino) said the approval of an extension would be easier since no human rights violations had been reported in Mindanao while it was in effect.

“But since there have been no atrocities or any human rights violations committed since the imposition of martial law, it will be easier to justify an extension if needed,” he said.

There actually have been allegations of looting and illegal searches by soldiers, but the government has blamed these on Maute terrorists.

Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III (Nationalist People's Coalition) said that if the situation warranted it the chamber and the House of Representatives would extend the president’s declaration, an opinion shared by Sen. Francis Escudero (Independent).

“If they show that the problem is still subsisting, and martial law is still needed to address it,” Escudero said.

Lagman criticized senators and representatives talking about martial law extension as the president himself had not yet asked for it.

He said that even if the Senate’s and the House’s concurrence was needed, the extension should be upon Duterte's initiative.

“Why are some senators and representatives talking about extending martial law in Mindanao when the president has not even officially initiated such extension?” Lagman asked.

He added: “Under the Constitution, while an extension needs the concurrence of the absolute majority of the members of the Congress voting in joint session, any such extension shall be upon the initiative of the president.”

The Albay congressman said that the limited duration of army rule and suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus was a constitutional safeguard.

Lagman was among the petitioners against martial law before the Supreme Court. The court has voted to uphold the legality of the declaration of martial law in Mindanao.