The Supreme Court Has Spoken — Palace

Malacañang on Tuesday lauded the Supreme Court (SC) decision affirming the constitutionality of President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao even as it reiterated its call for full support and cooperation from the public.

“The High Court has spoken. Proclamation 216 is constitutional,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

With the ruling, the Palace official assured the people that President Duterte remains fully committed to end the evil of terrorism and asked everyone to fully support the government in the war against terror.

“The President is sworn to protect the Filipino people. He will not waver in this commitment to end rebellion, the evil of terrorism and to liberate Marawi. With the Supreme Court decision, the whole government now stands together as one against a common enemy,” he said.

“We ask the public to give their full support and cooperation to local authorities. After all, securing communities is a responsibility that must be shared by everyone,” Abella said.

Earlier Tuesday, the SC, through an 11-3-1 ruling, validated President Duterte’s May 23 declaration placing the entire Mindanao under martial law following clashes between state security forces and Islamic State-inspired terrorists from the Maute and Abu Sayyaf group.

The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus was also suspended in the region.

The 11 magistrates who favored the President’s Proclamation 216 were Associate Justices Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr., Teresita J. Leonardo-De Castro, Diosdado M. Peralta, Lucas P. Bersamin, Mariano C. Del Castillo, Jose C. Mendoza, Bienvenido L. Reyes, Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe, Francis H. Jardeleza, Samuel R. Martires and Noel G. Tijam.

Meanwhile, three Justices voted that martial law should only cover Marawi City and nearby areas. They were Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa.

Only Associate Justice Marvic Leonen said the martial law declaration has no factual basis.