Ping nixes martial law: Democracy to be preserved

MAWAB, Davao de Oro, Philippines — Protection of democracy is assured if he gets elected president, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said yesterday as he assuaged fears that he was entertaining thoughts of bringing back martial law.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of his campaign rally at the Lorenzo National High School here yesterday, the Partido Reporma standard bearer said imposing military rule or going the authoritarian route has never crossed his mind because he believes in democracy.

“Ah, wala, wala. (Oh, no, no.) Definitely, democracy will be preserved. No martial law, no dictatorship,” Lacson replied when asked if such scenario is possible under his administration.

Lacson explained that the 1987 Constitution, crafted after the fall of the Marcos dictatorship, stipulates rigid justifications for declaring martial law.

“In the first place, martial law is already defined under the Constitution and the declaration of martial law has its limitations,” Lacson told reporters.

“It is only limited to a period of 60 days upon the validation of Congress. Also, the Bill of Rights is well entrenched. It won’t be touched. You cannot arrest just anyone even if there is a state of martial law,” Lacson added.

Article 7, Section 18 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that martial law may only be proclaimed in cases of invasion or rebellion or when public safety is in danger.

According to the Constitution, “a state of martial law does not suspend the operation of the Constitution, nor supplant the functioning of the civil courts or legislative assemblies, nor authorize the conferment of jurisdiction on military courts and agencies over civilians where civil courts are able to function, nor automatically suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus.”

Lacson has repeatedly announced his intention to lead the country by enforcing strict discipline among government officials, employees, police and the military, to prevent the abuses and corrupt practices.

“We should really remove, clear the government of corrupt, undisciplined officials and employees,” he said.

The senator is running for president in the 2022 elections in tandem with Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

He said his goal as president is to end the era of bad governance and restore the trust of the people in government by booting out and punishing officials plundering the nation’s coffers.