THE government’s top lawyer advised the public to “read between the lines” to know Duterte’s true intentions amid the confusion over his statements that he will or will not declare martial law to accompany his war on illegal drugs.
“Sometimes, what you hear from him is not really what he wants to communicate,” Solicitor-General Jose Calida said in a recent interview.
“So we have to read between the lines, but the bottom line here is, if this country is put in danger and nobody acts, he will act.”
Over the weekend, Duterte said he will declare martial law if the drug problem turns into something violent.
But in a speech in Cabanatuan on Wednesday he agreed with the military that there was no compelling reason yet to declare martial law.
Duterte had made previous pronouncements about declaring or not declaring martial law.
Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella, who is tasked to interpret Duterte’s messages, said Duterte could declare martial law but right now he would not.
“[The President] has said if conditions are ripe, it will happen but he will not [declare martial law]. He is simply saying at this stage, he will not,” Abella said.
“[The President] is stating that he could but he will not. In other words, he’s just simply addressing the enormity… it’s a graphic way of addressing the enormity of the drug problem.”
Under the 1987 Constitution, the President may declare martial law only on two grounds:invasion and rebellion. The period cannot exceed 60 days without congressional approval, and the Supreme Court may review the declaration of martial law.
Nevertheless, Calida said the President may declare martial law even outside the parameters of the Constitution and even without the approval of Congress and the Supreme Court.
Amid the confusion over Duterte’s pronouncements, Calida said the President will declare martial law if “the people’s welfare is on the line.”
“When there is really a clear and present danger to our country and nobody will help the President do his job as the father of the nation, then he will not allow us Filipinos to suffer,” Calida said.