'147 votes needed to revoke martial law'

MANILA, Philippines - The Senate and the House of Representatives need to gather at least 147 votes in joint session to revoke the martial law declared in Maguindanao by President Arroyo, according to Speaker Prospero Nograles.

“One-hundred forty-seven votes are needed to revoke the proclamation,” he told a news briefing.

The opposition dominates the 24-member Senate while 90 percent of the 268 House members belong to the ruling party. This means repealing the martial law proclamation requires more than half of the total 292 lawmakers or 147.

The House agreed last night to hold a joint session with the Senate to review the President’s proclamation of martial law in Maguindanao.

“We have decided that we will join the joint session initiated by the Senate,” Nograles told reporters after meeting with his colleagues in a closed-door caucus.

Before the caucus, Nograles said that based on his consultation with constitutionalist Fr. Joaquin Bernas, there might be no need for a joint session since most House members support Mrs. Arroyo’s martial law proclamation anyway.

He said a bicameral panel was instructed to convene last night to discuss the rules of procedure for such session since “this is without a precedent.”

He named Majority Leader Arthur Defensor, Senior Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II, Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora, and Secretary General Marilyn Yap to the panel.

Nograles said if the rules of procedure to be drafted by the bicameral committee turn out to be acceptable to the two chambers, the joint session could be convened today.

“The earliest we can hold it is tomorrow (today). If not, we can have it on Wednesday or Thursday,” he said.

He also said the Senate and the House would have to invite Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita to formally present the President’s report on what prompted her to impose martial law in Maguindanao.

“Many members want to ask questions, so Secretary Ermita has to appear, although he has submitted a written report for the President,” he added.

Gonzales said the rules of procedure have to be discussed and agreed upon by the two chambers.

Nueva Ecija Rep. Edno Joson said under the Constitution, Congress should convene within 24 hours from the declaration of martial law to uphold or revoke the declaration.

Since the President imposed martial rule in Maguindanao on Dec. 4, the Senate and the House should have convened on Dec. 5.

He said he was awaiting a call for a joint session from House leaders, but no such call came.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said the joint session would be held at 4 p.m. today at the Batasang Pambansa. Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and his counterpart in the House will discuss the rules.

Enrile and Zubiri said the only agenda would be the martial law proclamation, allaying fears the process could be used for other purposes like Charter change.

“If the government charges the Ampatuans with rebellion and not murder, and if it is found that there is no factual basis – as there is really no basis – then the charges will just be dismissed and the Ampatuans will go scot-free,” said Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo. – With Aurea Calica