Declaration of martial law needs authority from Congress A- Biazon

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Rodolfo Biazon does not believe President Arroyo would be able to declare martial law without authority from Congress.

Speaking at a forum organized by the National Institute for Policy Studies and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati yesterday, the Senate committee on national defense chairman said the Constitution was crafted in such a way that Congress is given the power to reject, approve, or extend the declaration of martial law.

The Constitution requires the President to justify the martial law declaration before Congress immediately after issuing the proclamation, he added.

However, Biazon said everything would depend on the reliability of Congress, the Supreme Court, and the Armed Forces.

“Under the 1987 Constitution, it is almost impossible to declare and sustain (the martial law declaration),” he said.

Biazon likened the idea of the country being placed under military rule to the Sword of Damocles hanging over one’s head.

“The question is whose neck is the sword pointed at?” he said.

Biazon said declaring martial law is a numbers game similar to the dismissal by the House of Representatives of the impeachment complaint against President Arroyo in 2006.

“If martial law is declared, will Congress behave the same way?” he asked.

The retired Armed Forces chief said the military should not have any role in the resolution of political problems.

The military must defend the Constitution and should not be loyal to any person, he added.

On the other hand, Sen. Manuel Roxas II said everyone must be vigilant and be on guard against any attempt to declare martial law, considering that Malacañang has created a National Peace and Order Council (NPOC).

“During these times we can see some really disturbing signs,” he said in Filipino.

Speaking to reporters at a forum, Roxas said Executive Order 739, which created the NPOC, places all the national security agencies under the secretary of interior and local government.