Former President Fidel V. Ramos said government is over-reacting on with the imposition of Martial Law in the Southern Philippine Province of Maguindanao. Ramos, who once served as chief of staff of the amred forces, head of the Philippine Constabulary – Integraited National Police force (PC-INP) and the held the post during the Marcos era martial law period of the Philippines.
The Philippines ‘elder statesman’ said, the move was an "Over-reaction, typical of other mis-concivied and mis-guided steps the Arroyo administraion has done in the past," Ramos in particular cited "The declaration of a state of emergency during a protest by members of the Philippine Marines 2 years ago." the former President has been critical of President Arroyo’s Administraition for roughly two years. prior to that he had always been stalwart in his support of Arroyo who once served on his cabinet as social welfare secretary.
Senate House Divided:
At the upper house of the Philippine Legislature at the Senate there are mixed opinions on the proclamation of Martial Law, Senators are so far seen in opposition of the move to declare martail law.
Most vocal are those seeking the Presidency, led by Senator Benigno Aquino the third and his running mate mar Roxas. Also raising concern over the proclamation has been Sen. Francis ‘Chiz; Escudero, he recently withdrew his bid for the presidency. Sen. Escudero hs raised his concern over the declaration as well. "I view with utmost concern the imposition of martial law in Maguindanao province, especially after the reported discovery of arms caches and documents related to past elections." adding further in a note on the social networking site facebook that he hopes, " that this is not the case of “Maguindanao today…the Philippines tomorrow?"
Sen. Escudero goes on to write that, " The current state of emergency would have sufficed to address the clamor for justice for the massacre victims and restore the rule of law in the province." adding that the problem in Maguindanao was not a recent one and that armed political clans has been a historical problem. "For the longest time, this government has tolerated and promoted the culture of warlordism in Mindanao. Now, it seeks to be a warlord to undo what it has done." Escudero said in his note.
House Speaker says he support’s Arroyo move:
Meanwhile, at the lower house of congress the Philippine House of Representatives. The House of Representatives will support the declaration of martial law in Maguindanao. Early this morning, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo placed Maguindanao under martial law and suspended the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the entire province.
In a phone-patch TV interview on Government Television, House Speaker Perospero Nograles said he cannot speak on behalf of the 268 congressmen, but he added, that for his part, he is willing to support it (the declaration), “if only to erase fears of reprisals against witnesses in the Maguindanao massacre.”
Nograles said he was shocked to hear of the Maguindanao massacre, as were the other legislators from Mindanao. He added they were so disgusted that they started calling one another as soon as they heard of the news.
He said he will call on Monday, “before the session starts at 4 p.m., a majority caucus of all members of Congress, including the opposition, to discuss this declaration.” According to Nograles, the president should make a report to Congress on the declaration by Monday. He said Congress is duty-bound to call a session within 24 hours after receipt of the report for the purpose of looking into the validity of the declaration. “If we find it justifiable, we will support it,” he said.
He said martial law will give the prosecution and law enforcement agencies the power to gather all the evidence without hindrance and to secure the witnesses and place them under government protection. He explained that a simple majority of all members of the House and the Senate, voting jointly, is all that is needed to approve or disapprove the declaration. He added that under the Constitution, the congressmen and the senators need not vote separately on the matter.
He said he and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile had agreed to call their separate caucuses, after which they would meet for a joint assessment. The Constitution provides that the Supreme Court, acting on a complaint filed by any citizen, may also review the justification or grounds for the imposition of martial law.
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