SC ruling on martial law declaration in Mindanao out Tuesday

1st day of the oral arguments at the Supreme Court against President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao. INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

The Supreme Court on Tuesday is expected to issue its ruling on the petitions seeking to declare as illegal Proclamation 216 or President Rodrigo Duterte’s martial law proclamation in the entire Mindanao.

Under Section 18 of Article VII of the 1987 Constitution, the Supreme Court has 30 days from the filing of the petition questioning the factual basis of the martial law proclamation to promulgate its decision.

In this case, July 5, 2017 is the 30th day while Tuesday, July 4, 2017 is the high court’s regular en banc (full court session).

READ: Duterte: I’ll follow any SC ruling on martial law

There were three petitions that sought the nullification of the martial law proclamation—petitions filed by the minority bloc from Congress, residents of Mindanao and by women from Marawi.

Petitioners urged the high court to invoke the checks and balance provision of the constitution in weighing in on their motion.

The Office of the Solicitor General, on the other hand, insisted on the legality of the proclamation saying that no less than the Constitution itself provides that the prime duty of the government is to protect the people.

READ: Lorenzana confident of favorable SC decision on martial law

Solicitor General Jose Calida said President Duterte only faithfully complied with his mandate in declaring martial law.IDL