Press Release
July 4, 2017

Statement of Sen. Juan Miguel F. Zubiri on the SC's Martial Law Ruling

"I am relieved that the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the President's Declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao. This is a welcome development so that the government's security forces can continue their pursuit and clearing operations against these Maute terrorists and their affiliates, without a cloud of doubt on their mandate to do so. The government must now focus and concentrate ongetting rid of this menace in the whole of Mindanao and start the rehabilitation plan of all the affected areas so that we may achieve normalcy and ultimately economic development and inclusive growth in the region."

"The Supreme Court magistrates showed judicial probity, independence and progressive thinking in their exercise of judicial review powers. It is a mark of a progressive Supreme Court when they listen to the Executive's justifications of the Martial Law declaration and place the welfare of the people of Mindanao above other considerations."

Voting 11-3-1 on July 4, 2017, the majority of the Supreme Court justices denied the petitions and upheld the constitutionality of Proclamation 216 issued by President Duterteon May 24, 2017 placing the whole of Mindanao under Martial Law and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus. Three SC justices voted to partially grant the petitions filed by the House of Representatives' minority bloc, several residents of Mindanao and women of Marawi City by limiting Martial Law in the affected area, particularly, in Marawi City, and one voted to grant the petitions.

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