House urged to investigate Arroyo 'martial law' plan

INQ7.net | October 11, 2005
By Maila Ager

THE HOUSE of Representatives should investigate an alleged plan by Malacañang to declare a state of national emergency, which could lead to a possible declaration of martial law, a party-list legislator said Tuesday.

"Mr. Speaker, is President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo planning to declare a national emergency on her own? We in Akbayan dare the government to give an explicit answer to this question," said Akbayan Representative Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel in a privilege speech Tuesday.

She reminded her colleagues that Congress had the sole power to revoke a declaration of martial rule.

"We call on the leadership of Congress to assure the public now that, should this situation arise, it will rise to the occasion with integrity and independence to join the people in saying, 'Never Again'," she said.

Iloilo Representative Rolex Suplico, an opposition member, urged the government to stop issuing "secret" executive orders (EOs), which he said was the same "modus operandi" used by the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

"This was the same modus operandi resorted to by President Marcos when he issued the infamous secret Presidential Decrees," Suplico said.

"I urge the Arroyo administration to stop this pernicious practice at once," he said. "This violates the separation of powers, as some directly amend the 1987 Constitution."

House Deputy Majority Floor Leader Antonio Cerilles and Malabon-Navotas Representative Federico Sandoval II called on the government to clarify the controversy to allay fears that it was geared toward imposing martial rule.

In a joint statement, the lawmakers said that while they believed the President did not intend to declare martial law, the Palace needed to clarify the reports to put things in their proper perspective.

"Talks of martial law are unfounded," Cerilles said. "There is no basis for declaring it. The President remains in firm control over public order and security."

Sandoval said Malacañang should present a copy of the alleged draft of Executive Order 467 and inform the public of its contents.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez clarified that the EO merely sought to declare a state of national emergency to allow the government to take over vital industries.

Cerilles and Sandoval saw nothing wrong with the contents of the EO, saying, "The state has the right to defend its territory and sovereignty from threats of economic destruction."

Last modified October 11, 2005