Lawyers have filed before the Supreme Court a petition for mandamus seeking to require both houses of Congress to convene a joint legislative session.
This is for the purpose of reviewing President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao.
Lawyers led by Former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, Alex Padilla of Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) and Former Commission on Human Rights Chairperson Etta Rosales submitted the petition to the high tribunal on Tuesday.
Senate and Congress have previously approved separate resolutions supporting the proclamation.
But Hilbay says, lawmakers must still hold a joint session to scrutinize Proclamation Number 216.
Hilbay said, the petition is meant “to compel the Senate and the House of Representatives to jointly determine whether or not the President’s martial law declaration complies with our constitution.”
The petition is backed by 300 lawyers, including detained Senator Leila de Lima, Former Senator Rene Saguisag and constitutionalist Christian Monsod.