Good Morning Judge: On Martial Law (Part II)

THE decisive action of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in the declaration martial law in the entire Mindanao area has found the support of Congress when the lower house passed a resolution supporting the imposition of military rule. The resolution is indeed justified even without the President first asking for it in the light of the action of the Maute terrorists group in sieging the predominantly Muslim City of Marawi in Lanao del Sur. It is worthwhile to note however, that according to AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo G. Ano who has been designated by the President as the martial law administrator in Mindanao, Marawi City is now 90 percent under the control of the military and it is only a matter of time before it can take control the entire city. It is also our hope that in no time the civilian authorities of Marawi will run the city administration’s affairs. It may be recalled that many were taken aback when the President declared martial law in Mindanao. In fact, there were those who contended that the declaration of martial was unconstitutional. Some non-advocates of martial law have in fact reportedly filed an action with the Supreme Court questioning the legality and constitutionality of the martial law declaration. Be that as it may, however, we can only surmise what action the Supreme Court may take on the matter. But with the Maute’s siege of Marawi turning into a rebellion, it is indeed justified that martial law was declared. Under the law and the Constitution, however, the duty of the President to report to Congress after martial law shall have been terminated. TRIVIA: Congratulations to the newly elected officers of the IBP, Camarines Sur Chapter who were inducted into office last May 27 at the Avenue Convention Plaza. The Honorable Noel G. Tijam, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, was the Guest of Honor. Justice Tijam is a native of Nabua, Camarines Sur. Last May 24 was the death anniversary of my late uncle Brig. Gen. Tomas B. Karingal whose assassination in l984 remains unsolved up to this time. He was then the Chief of Police of Quezon City at the time of his untimely death. To honor his death, then President Ferdinand E. Marcos named the present Northern Police District Headquarters as Camp Karingal. My late uncle was a native of Pasacao, Camarines Sur, hence I am wondering if the Sangguniang Bayan of Pasacao could also honor her native son with a Resolution naming the stretch of road from Sta. Rosa del Norte to Sta. Rosa del Sur in the downtown area just in front of the house of former Pasacao Mayor Floro Karingal as Brig. Gen. Tomas B. Karingal Avenue. I hope Vice-Mayor Marilyn Soto who is the Presiding Officer of the SB of Pasacao could take the cudgels for this. Birthday greetings to my AdeNU high school batch ‘54 who will be celebrating his nth birthday anniversary with a luncheon-fellowship at Bob Marlin Resto-Bar with his batch mates on Saturday, June 3. Congratulations also to the Lay Eucharistic Ministers of the Immaculate Conception Parish who will be installed in a ceremony at 6:00 a.m. Eucharistic Celebration this coming Sunday June 4. QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: “OUR GREATEST GLORY IS NOT IN NEVER FALLING, BUT IN RISING EVERY TIME WE FALL.” CONFUSIUS FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE: “TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD, SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.” PSALM 34:14