President Rodrigo Duterte said on Saturday that he would impose martial law if the drug problem became “very virulent,” just a month after dismissing as “nonsense” any suggestion he might do so. ...
“If I wanted to, and it will deteriorate into something really very virulent, I will declare martial law,” he said in Davao City.
“No one can stop me,” he said, referring to the Supreme Court and Congress. “My country transcends everything else, even the limitations.” ...
“A ‘virulent drug problem’ cannot be a constitutional anchorage for a martial law imposition,” Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said.
“He has been floating the idea and eventually he will go there because that’s what he desires. It will depend, however, on how much opposition there would be against martial law,” said Alejano, a former Marine officer.
A new Constitution drawn up in 1987 in an effort to avoid another dictatorship provided that the President could impose martial rule for just 60 days and only to stop an invasion or a rebellion. Congress can revoke the measure within 48 hours while the Supreme Court can review its legality.
But Mr. Duterte said on Saturday he could ignore the 60-day limit. “The 60-day (limit) will be gone,” he said.
“And I’d tell you now, if I have to declare martial law, I will declare it—not about invasion, insurrection, not about danger. I will declare martial law to preserve my nation—period,” he said.