Duterte threatens martial law if Supreme Court hinders war on drugs

PRESIDENT Duterte on Tuesday
threatened Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno that he would declare martial law if the Supreme Court would hinder his war against illegal drugs.

“Ikaw ang kingpin sa judiciary. Ako, presidente. Ako may trabaho, ikaw wala. Walang mga judges na nagpa-patrol ng daan. Walang mga sheriff ninyo na naghuhuli,” Duterte said in a scathing speech against Sereno in Cagayan De Oro City.

Duterte threatens to declare martial law if SC thwarts drug war

 

Duterte: I will cleanse this gov’t without declaring martial law

Just another politician.

 

President Rodrigo Duterte warned Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno against what he called as her meddling in the executive branch's war on drugs.

"Would you rather I declare martial law?" Duterte said in response to Sereno's advice to judges who were included in a list of government officials allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade to wait for duly issued warrants of arrest before surrendering to police.

There are specific requirements, however, before a president can declare martial law, and this has to be done with the concurrence of Congress.

According to Article VII, Section 8 of the 1987 Constitution, this, and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, can only be done "in case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it."

The president must also submit a report to Congress, whether in person or in writing, within 48 hours of the declaration. If Congress does not agree that martial law should be declared or the writ of habeas corpus suspended, it can "voting jointly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its members in regular or special session" revoke the proclamation or suspension.

No declaration of martial law or the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus can last for more than 60 days unless a majority in Congress, again voting jointly, votes to extend it "if the invasion or rebellion shall persist and public safety requires it."

The proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the writ may be reviewed by the Supreme Court "for the sufficiency of the factual basis" of the proclamation or suspension if a citizen petitions it to. It has 30 days to decide on whether the declaration or suspension has a basis.

"A state of martial law does not suspend the operation of the Constitution, nor supplant the functioning of the civil courts or legislative assemblies, nor authorize the conferment of jurisdiction on military courts and agencies over civilians where civil courts are able to function, nor automatically suspend the privilege of the writ," the constitution also says.

The writ of habeas corpus may only be suspended for people charged for rebellion or for offense connected to the invasion while those arrested while the writ is suspended should be charged within three days or must be released. 1987 Constitution explained: Can Duterte declare martial law? | News Feature, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com