(Eagle News) — Members of the leftist Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives asked the Supreme Court on Wednesday, Jan. 16, to invalidate Congress’ approval of a third martial law extension in Mindanao.
In their petition, Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate, Gabriela Women’s Reps. Emmi De Jesus and Arlene Brosas, Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao, ACT Teachers Reps, Antonio Tinio and France Castro, and Kabataan party-list Rep. Sarah Jane Elago argued there was no “factual basis” for the extension, noting that the government itself had acknowledged there was a “weakening” of rebels in Mindanao due to government security forces efforts.
The group argued Congress failed to check the powers of the President when it heeded his request for the extension in a December letter to the House of Representatives and the Senate.
This is the second petition challenging the third martial law extension in Mindanao, the first having been filed by the Magnificent 7 group in January.
Martial law was first declared in Mindanao after local terrorists overran Marawi in May 2017.
It has been extended in the region since.
