Senate votes 17-5 adopting resolution supporting martial law in Mindanao
 

http://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/t...=f&x=544&y=334The Senate on Tuesday adopted a resolution expressing its support for the declaration of martial law in Mindanao. The resolution reached a roll call vote, after Mi**rity Leader Franklin Drilon opposed the approval. The vote was 17-5. All five mi**rity bloc senators voted against the approval of Senate Resolution **. 388. They said their vote does **t mean that they do **t sympathize with the people of Marawi City. â??Kung hindi man tayo nagkaka-sundo, the Senate is one in supporting the Armed Forces,â?* Senator Paolo Benig** â??Bamâ?* Aqui** IV said. â??The issue here is about the correct or proportionate response of the government to address this crisis,â?* Senator Antonio Trillanes IV added. Apart from Drilon, Aqui**, and Trillanes, Senators Francis â??Kikoâ?* Pangilinan and Risa Hontiveros also voted against the resolutionâ??s approval. The 17 senators who voted for the approval of the resolution are Senate President Aquili** â??Kokoâ?* Pimentel III, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, and Senators Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, JV Ejercito, Francis â??Chizâ?* Escudero Sherwin Gatchalian, Richard Gordon, Gringo Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda, Manny Pacquiao, Grace Poe, Joel Villanueva, Cynthia Villar, and Miguel Zubiri. The resolution states that there is â??** compelling reason to revokeâ?* the declaration of martial law in Mindanao. In defending the resolution, Zubiri, a close ally of Duterte, said there is a need to put an end to terrorism in Mindanao. â??Let us finish this menace once and for all,â?* Zubiri said. â??We stand behind the President.â?* Hontiveros asked Zubiri of his opinion whether a joint session is needed on martial law. Zubiri said that as per his understanding of the 1987 Constitution, this is only needed if there is an intention to revoke the declaration. Hontiveros reminded Zubiri that in 2009, when then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared martial law in Maguindanao, he said that calling for a joint session is a â??constitutional duty.â?* Zubiri defended his remark then, saying there was a clear intention from majority of the lawmakers then to revoke Arroyoâ??s declaration. â??I erred in my decision before because I did **t realize the gravity of the situation. This is happening in my home,â?* Zubiri, who hails from Bukid**n, said. Hontiveros then said: â??Though his opinion may have changed, the Constitution has **t.â?* Article VII, Section 18 of the Constitution states Congress may revoke the proclamation â??voting jointly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its members in regular or special session.â?* â?? RSJ, GMA News

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