EXPRESSING grave concern, Vice President Leni Robredo on Friday said that the recent threat of a return to martial law and one-man-rule by President Rodrigo Duterte would be the "worst Christmas gift to the Filipino people."
Robredo was appalled at the President's challenge to the constitution and called for vigilance against such threat.
"Let us remain vigilant against the threat of Martial Law, and fight against any move that will curtail our freedoms. This is not a battle we will take sitting down. As Filipinos, we have demonstrated our courage to stand up and make our voices heard for the sake of protecting our freedom and fighting for the truth," she said.
Duterte was reported as wanting the Constitution amended to make it less difficult for any president to declare martial law, saying the current safeguards were mere "reckless reaction" to what Filipinos experienced during the Marcos regime.
Robredo said the above-mentioned remark only insults the "experience of the Filipino nation that endured great suffering and hardship under the Martial Law regime."
The 1987 Constitution replaced the martial law provision of the 1935 Constitution.
Martial law may be declared by the president only in case of invasion or rebellion for a period of only 60 days. The President is also required to submit a report to the Congress within 48 hours after the proclamation of martial law or suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus.
Thereafter, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives would then vote jointly to revoke the proclamation or extend its effectivity if the invasion or rebellion persists and public safety requires it.
For its part, the Supreme Court may review the martial law declaration or suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus and promulgate a decision within 30 days. (Sunnex)