Alvarez backs Duterte declaration of martial law in Mindanao

Congress need not sit down immediately to discuss martial law proclamation--Alvarez

 

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez today said it is not necessary for Congress to immediately conduct a session to discuss President Rodrigo Duterte’s proclamation placing the entire island of Mindanao under martial law.

 

Around 10:26 p.m. Wednesday night, the office of Alvarez received from Malacañang a copy of Duterte’s Proclamation No. 216, declaring a state of martial law and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the whole of Mindanao.

 

In a radio interview, Alvarez said the House leadership held a meeting Wednesday in anticipation of the submission of Malacañang’s report on the declaration of martial law. Under the Constitution, the President has 48 hours from the time of the declaration of martial law to submit a report to Congress, whether in person or in writing.

 

“Ngayon, kung ito ay i-report niya personally, we have to convene Congress para tanggapin at pakinggan yung kanyang report. Pero kung ito ay gagawin niya in writing, hindi na kailangan na mag-convene kami agad-agad, unless mayroong desisyon yung mga miyembro na kailangang mag-convene kami at pag-usapan yung kanyang report,” Alvarez explained.

Alvarez said he is flying to Davao today for a meeting with Duterte.

 

According to Alvarez the proclamation of martial law would be in effect for a period of 60 days unless Congress decides to either shorten or extend the period.

 

However, Alvarez said there is nothing in the Constitution that requires Congress to sit down immediately after the President has submitted his report on the declaration of martial law.

 

“Wala po akong nakitang ganoong nakalathala sa ating Konstitusyon,” Alvarez said.

 

He said the House would likely tackle the martial law proclamation in its session next week.

 

“May session naman ang Kongreso hanggang next week at puwede po natin mailahad para talakayin iyan,” Alvarez said.

 

The Speaker said an agreement was reached yesterday among the lawmakers, particularly those from Mindanao, to allow them to go to their respective districts to get first-hand information on the situation on the ground and provide assistance to their constituents who need help.

 

Alvarez reiterated that the public should not be alarmed over possible abuses because it is clear that despite the declartion of martial law, the Constitution remains in effect, and that  the courts as well as civilian authorities continue to function.

 

He said that while the violence erupted only in Marawi City it is necessary to place the entire Mindanao under martial law to allow authorities to pursue terrorists who would likely flee to adjacent areas.

 

Meanwhile, Alvarez also clarified that the martial law declaration is not only directed against Muslim terrorists.

 

“Hindi po natin sini-single out yung mga terorista na naniniwala sa relihiyon ng Islam, hindi po. Lahat po ng terorista ay kasama po dito na ina-address ng ating administrasyon. Hindi lang itong Maute group, hindi lang po yung Abu Sayyaf, kundi lahat po ng naghahasik po ng terrorism sa buong Mindanao, “ Alvarez said. ###

 

Alvarez backs DU30 declaration of martial law in Mindanao

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez today backed President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law for the entire Mindanao following attacks in Marawi City of armed groups believed to be allied to the terrorist group ISIS.

In an ambush interview, Alvarez said that as a Mindanaoan himself, he believes the President made the right move.

“Well, tama lang yung ginawa ng ating Presidente sa aking pananaw bilang isang taga-Mindanao ay talagang merong kaguluhan na nangyayari doon at ito ay matagal nang dinudusa nung ating bayan. Kaya siguro kailangan na ng talagang desisyon na nararapat para i-address itong problemang ito,” Alvarez said.

He noted that under the Constitution the President has the authority to put any area of the country under Martial Law or even the entire Philippines if necessary for the safety of the public.

Alvarez thinks that while the violence erupted only in Marawi City, terrorist groups are likely lurking in other areas of Mindanao and possibly in other areas of the country too.

“Tama lang yun. Maaaring yung kaguluhan ay nasa Marawi ngayon pero yung mga terrorista I think are everywhere. I’m sure everywhere in Mindanao and if not sa buong Pilipinas,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez also allayed concerns over possible abuse of authority as a consequence of the declaration of martial  law.

“May mga safeguards sa ating Constitution. At in fact, pag binasa ninyo yung provision, kahit may martial law, hindi ibig sabihin na suspended yung mga korte natin---nagpa-function pa rin yun normally,” Alvarez said.

“Mayroon palaging pangangamba. Pero para sa akin I welcome yung resolve ng ating Pangulo na gawin kung ano yung tama to address once and for all yung terrorism na lumalala hindi lang dito sa Pilipinas kundi pati na rin sa ibang bansa,” he added.

Likewise, Alvarez said those who are saying the President’s move was a knee-jerk reaction do not really know the situation on the ground.

As mandated under the Constitution, Alvarez said Congress will convene in a joint within 48 hours of the declaration to review the report of the Executive department on the basis of the declaration of martial law.

So far, Alvarez said Congress has yet to receive any formal report of the Executive department on the declaration of martial law. He said it would likely be submitted after President Duterte’s arrival from his trip to Russia that the Chief Executive cut short following the violence in Marawi.

Under the Constitution, martial law should not exceed 60 days. However, Congress is also empowered to extend this period if necessary. ####

Transcript: Ambush interview of Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez

24 May 2017

Makati Shangrila

Q: Sir meron na kayong na-receive na report regarding doon sa declaration of Martial Law?

A: Ay wala pa kasi wala pa naman, hindi pa dumadating yung ating Pangulo. Ang pagkaintindi ko, I think he is arriving today

Q: Sir, what is your reaction to the declaration and yung nangyari sa Marawi yesterday?

A: Well tama lang yung ginawa ng ating Presidente sa aking pananaw bilang isang taga-Mindanao ay talagang merong kaguluhan na nangyayari doon at ito ay matagal nang dinudusa nung ating bayan ano. Kaya siguro kailangan na ng talagang desisyon na nararapat  i-address itong problemang ito. At base naman sa ating Saligang Batas ang ating Presidente ay binibigyan ng karapatan o kapangyarihan para magdeklara ng Martial Law sa kung anong bahagi ng ating bansa, if not sa buong bansa.

Q: Sir may 48 hours under the constitution ang Presidente para magsumite ng explanation to Congress. Will you be convening a joint session over that?

A: Of course. We are mandated by the Constitution para sundin yung proseso na nararapat.

Q: So will you have a session tomorrow or Friday for this?

A: Ah, depende. Mamaya pag-uusapang namin at wala pa namang sina-submit yung Executive Branch formally or officially sa Kongreso.

Q: Sir what do you say that the declaration covers the entire Mindanao?

A: Tama po yun. Tama lang po yun. Kasi po ang terrorism hindi lang po..maaaring yung kaguluhan ay nasa Marawi ngayon pero yung mga terrorista I think are everywhere. I’m sure everywhere in Mindanao and if not sa buong Pilipinas.

Q: Sir anong masasabi ninyo sa mga nagsasabing knee-jerk itong reaction ..?

A: Ah, hindi po. Yung nagsasabing knee-jerk yung reaction ay hindi sila maaaring familiar doon sa terrain.

Q: Sir how about yung sinabi ni Pangulo na this Martial Law will be harsh and the same as nung Martial Law ni former President Marcos?

A: Ah, hindi ko po alam ano. Kasi syempre yung Martial Law e Martial Law, di ba? Merong emergency situation na kailangang i-address yung ating gobyerno for public safety.

Q: Sir yung 60 days po ba ay sobrang haba o maiksi?

A: Titingnan natin, titingnan natin kung mahaba o maiksi ang 60 days. Kung maiksi I’m sure ito naman ay tatapusin din nung Executive Branch kagaya nung nangyari nung panahon ni Pres. Arroyo. At kung kulang naman ito ay pag-aaralan din ng Kongreso.

Q: Sir yung mga members ng House nag-express nung kanilang concern.. baka maabuso daw?

A: Well, mayroon palaging pangangamba. Pero para sa akin eh I welcome yung talagang resolve ng ating Pangulo na gawin kung ano yung tama to address once and for all yung terrorism na lumalala hindi lang dito sa Pilipinas kundi pati na rin sa ibang bansa.

Q: But do you believe sir talaga, personally na may basehan yung pagde-deklara?

A: As a Mindanaoan, yes. I fully believe na talagang may basehan yung pagdeklara ng Martial Law.

Q: Sir, on your part paano po kayo makakasiguro na walang maabusong powers dito sa declaration?

A: Well may mga safeguards sa ating constitution. At in fact, pag binasa ninyo yung provision, kahit may Martial Law, hindi ibig sabihin na suspended yung mga korte natin. Nagpa-function pa rin yun normally.  ###

DZRH/PDA

 ‘Isyu’ (9:00am-10:30am)

Deo Macalma, Karen Owyong

*Phone Patch Interview with House Speaker PANTALEON ALVAREZ

Macalma: Magandang umaga sa inyo Sir.

Owyong: Magandang umaga Sir.

Alvarez: Ay, Lakay magandang umaga, magandang umaga sa inyong dalawa.

Macalma: Kasama natin si Karen, Speaker

Owyong: Good morning po Speaker.

Alvarez: Ay, Karen oo, magandang umaga.

Macalma: Speaker Alvarez, sir ngayong tinanggap niyo na kagabi ang Proclamation Number 216, ano po ang gagawin ng Kongreso, magpapatawag po ba kayo ng special session at tatalakayin kung ang deklarasyon ng Martial Law Speaker?

Alvarez: Lakay Deo, wala namang nakalagay na ganyan sa Saligang Batas, na kinakailangang mag-special session kaagad kami para talakayin iyan. Malinaw sa provision noong Saligang Batas, paulit-ulit kong binasa iyan, na ang mandato ay sa Pangulo lamang. Pagka nagdeklara siya ng martial law, within 48 hours kailangan magreport siya sa Congress either in person or in writing. So sa tingin ko, kung in person, kailangan kaming mag-convene para pakinggan yung ating Pangulo. At kung in writing naman, hindi na kami kailangang mag-convene at kailangan lang bigyan namin ng kopya yung bawat miyembro ng Kongreso noong report ng Pangulo na nagdeclare siya ng martial law. Kasi po kung babasahin natin yung Saligang Batas, malinaw naman doon na ang effectivity sa martial law ay 60 days. Ngayon, itong 60 days na ito, puwedeng paiksiin o pahabain ng Kongreso, so kung paiksiin namin o pahabain iyan, kinakailangan naming mag-convene.

Macalma: So anong gagawin ngayon, Speaker sir, ito ba… palagay ko ilang beses ninyong paulit-ulit itong Proclamation number 216…

Owyong: Baka namemorize na nga ni Speaker…

Macalma: Kumbinsido ba kayo Speaker, na talagang kailangan po ang martial law para maprotektahan ang ating mga kababayan at mapanatili ang peace and order sa Marawi at buong Mindanao sir?

Alvarez: Lakay, kitang-kita naman natin kung ano ang mga nangyayari sa ating bansa, kung anong mga nangyayari sa buong mundo, na naghahasik ng lagim itong mga terorista. Itong terrorism, ay hindi lamang po local sa Marawi, hindi lamang local sa Mindanao, kundi sa buong mundo na ito. Ngayon… although ang putukan ay nasa Marawi lamang, at alam ko mayroong mga nagtatanong kung bakit ang deklarasyon ng martial law ay sa buong Mindanao, common sense naman iyan, napakaliit ng Marawi, siyempre, pagka halimbawa nagpuputukan iyan at iyan ay lumipat sa mga karatig-probinsya, sabihin na naman ng Pangulo declare na naman ng martial law doon sa kabilang probinsya, para namang gago tayo niyan. Para sa akin, dahil hindi naman natin maikakaila na sa lahat ng parte ng Mindanao, I’m sure, may mga tauhan na itong mga terorista na ito, so once and for all, let us address this problem properly and seriously. Tama po yung ginawa ng ating Pangulo, yun pagdeklara ng martial law sa buong Mindanao para sa… once and for all po matapos na itong problema natin na ito.

Owyong: Ano naman ang inyong komento sa mga mambabatas na sinasabing hindi naman dapat nagdeklara agad ng martial law?

Alvarez: Aba, baka hindi naman sila yung mga taga-Mindanao siguro, kailangan pumunta sila doon… at alam niyo, mag-presidente muna sila. Yung kapangyarihan na iyan ay ibinibigay ng ating Saligang Batas sa Presidente.

Owyong: Ngayon ko lang narinig si Senator Trillanes na po at si Senator Hontiveros, nagsalita po sila regarding that.

Alvarez: Yung pagdedesisyon, yung pagdedesisyon kung kailangang magdeklara ng martial law, ay nasa Presidente. Ngayon kung ako, halimbawa, I belong to the legislative branch, ay wala po akong ganoong kapangyarihan na binibigay ng Saligang Batas. Let us respect ourselves din sa mandato po ng ating Saligang Batas.

Macalma: Actually, ang isa pang nakapagtataka dito, Speaker Alvarez, ang business sector, suportado ang deklarasyon ng martial law para magkaroon ng kapayapaan sa Mindanao at magtuluy-tuloy ang business, ang investment ng mga magpupuntahan na mga investors sa Mindanao, sir.

Alvarez: Tama po iyan, iyan talaga ang sentimiyento , Lakay. Alam mo, ako taga-Mindanao ako, wala kaming ibang ninanais kundi ng magkaroon ng kapayapaan. Wala tayong ibang ninanais kundi magkaroon ng kapayapaan sa Visayas. Wala tayong ninanais kundi magkaroon ng kapayapaan sa Luzon, at sa buong Pilipinas. Iyan po ang ninanais nating lahat, kaya po ako ay umaapela din sa ating mga kababayan na sana ay suportahan natin yung ating Pangulo, ginagawa lang po ang trabaho para po magkaroon tayo ng kapayapaan at seguridad po ng publiko.

Owyong: Ano naman po daw ang assurance natin sa ating publiko na wala pong karapatang pantao na malalabag, ang martial law po ng ating Pangulong Duterte ay hindi katulad po ng martial law na una po nating nakagisnan?

Alvarez: Dapat basahin po nila yung ating Saligang Batas. Kasi po malaki po ang pinagkaiba ng Saligang Batas noong nakaraan, noong panahon ni Marcos at ng Saligang Batas na umiiral ngayon, itong 1987 Constitution na kung saan po ay talagang nilagyan po ng enough safety measures upang sa ganoon ay ito ay hindi maabuso. Makikita po natin na doon po sa ating Saligang Batas ngayon, ay sinasabi na hindi po suspended ang operations ng civil authorities at ng mga korte.

Macalma: Pati Kongreso, hindi katulad noong martial law noong 1972, sarado ang Kongreso, inaresto ang mga taga-oposisyon, at ito pa Speaker, kami sa media, medyo nababahala, kasi medyo kami ni Dr. Jay inabutan na namin yung pagpapasara ng mga himpilan ng radyo, telebisyon at mga pahayagan…

Owyong: May hugot ka na, itay.

Macalma: Hindi naman ito… although wala po ako sa media noon, estudyante pa ako noon… hindi naman ito gagawin ng Pangulong Digong, Speaker Alvarez, sir?

Alvarez: Hindi po, hindi po Lakay. In fact, alam ko parehong elementary pa tayong dalawa noon…

Owyong: Batang-bata pa…

Alvarez: Yung martial law, pero noong araw ang pinagkaiba kasi, ay wala lahat, sarado pati mga telebisyon, mga istasyon ng radyo, mga diyaryo…

Owyong: Opo.

Alvarez: Ngayon, hindi po. Malaya tayong nagkokomento, malaya tayong nag-uusap ngayon, so malaki po ang pinagkaiba noong martial law ngayon at panahon po ni Marcos.

Owyong: Mayroon din pong mga nababahala, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, paano po, ano po ang magiging tipping point para ideklara, kasi he might, he might declare martial law within Visayas and Mindanao, ano po ang tipping point para magdesisyon po ang ating Pangulo na gawin ito?

Alvarez: Malinaw po yung nakasaad sa Constitution na kung may rebelyon and itong rebelyon na ito siguro, yung matinding ano na talaga, patayan, na talagang hindi na po safety yung ating publiko. Kaya po itong mga act of terrorism, na kung saan talagang nakikita naman natin na nangyayari doon sa Marawi ay kinakailangan na nating i-address ito ng talagang… sa isang Pangulo na talagang naninindigan kung ano ang dapat na gawin.

Macalma: Speaker, medyo curious lang ako rito, kasi kayo po ay abugado ng Pangulong Digong, medyo nagbiro ang Pangulong Digong kahapon dito sa… kasi hawak ko yung isang kopya ng proclamation number 216, sabi dito sa huli, now therefore, I, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and by law, do hereby proclaim martial law. Ang sabi dito done in the Russian Federation on the 23rd day of May in the year of our Lord 2017. Wala bang technicality iyan Speaker na ang deklarasyon ng martial law ay pinirmahan nagmula doon sa Russia, foreign country?

Alvarez: Tingin ko naman Lakay wala, dahil hindi naman nakalagay sa ating Constitution, wala doon sa provision na kinakailangan na kung mag-declare ka ng martial law ay nandito ka sa… nasa CR ka, nasa banyo ka, nasa kuwarto ka o kung nasaang lugar ka. Basta ang malinaw lang doon, kung may rebelyon doon sa area na yun o kung saang lugar iyan, ay ang Pangulo ay pupuwedeng magdeclare ng martial law. So hindi po nakalagay doon na kung ang Pangulo ay kinakailangan na nasa Pilipinas siya o nasa Malakanyang siya o nasa bahay niya siya, para pupuwede siyang magdeclare ng martial law.

Owyong: So walang legal implication naman ito…

Alvarez: Sa tingin ko naman wala.

Macalma: Ito, Speaker, ayan, kasi although may garantiya po ang Pangulong Digong kahapon na hindi maaabuso ang implementasyon ng martial law, paano po kung may mga paglabag halimbawa ang ating mga sundalo, Speaker Alvarez? Maari niyo bang i-revoke… ng Kongreso itong martial law na dineklara ng Pangulong Digong?

Alvarez: Sa nakikita ko, base sa provision po ng Constitution, dalawa iyan, puwedeng Congress, tapusin iyang martial law na iyan, at yung isa naman, malaya din yung ating mga… kahit sinong citizens ay magpetisyon po sa korte na ipawalang-bisa yung martial law.

Macalma: Ok. So yun po yung mga safety measures pala nitong ano… yung kaibahan ng Constitution natin ngayon kaysa noong panahon ni Marcos.

Alvarez: Opo, tama po yun.

Macalma: Ayan. So sa mga nangangamba, Speaker Alvarez sir, ano po ang inyong mensahe sa ating mga kababayan para hindi naman masyadong matakot dito sa implementasyon ng martial law, kasi nababanggit na rin po ng Pangulong Digong, ang curfew, implementasyon ng curfew, at yung suspension ng privilege of the writ of habeas corpus?

Alvarez: Lakay, ang para sa ating mga kababayan, huwag po tayong mabahala dito sa pagdeklara po ng martial law ng ating Pangulo, dapat po mabahala po tayo sa kaguluhan na nangyayari sa ating bansa, doon po sa mga ginagawa ng mga terorista sa mga inosenteng mamamayan. Malinaw po ang sabi ng ating Pangulo na itong martial law na ito ay hindi po ito para sa mga law-abiding citizens, kundi para po ito doon sa mga naghahasik ng lagim at gumagawa po ng mga acts of terrorism para guluhin ang sambayanan.

Macalma: Speaker Alvarez sir, maraming salamat po sa mga mensahe at paliwanag, magandang umaga po, sana nga po ay maging mapayapa na ang Mindanao.

Owyong: Thank you sir.

Alvarez: Magandang umaga po sa inyo at maraming salamat Lakay at Karen, sa pagkakataon.

Macalma: Thank you very much po. Mga kaibigan, House Speaker Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez

Annalisa Burgos

(9:30am)

Interview with House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez

Burgos: Good morning, House Speaker. Critics are, of course, weighing on whether declaring martial law was really necessary in this case, saying that it may have been an overreaction. What is your response to those critics?

Alvarez: Well, alam niyo po, mag-presidente muna sila. Yun po ay kapangyarihan na binigay ng ating Saligang Batas sa Pangulo ng Pilipinas. Yung pagdedesisyon kung kinakailangan ba na magdeklara ng martial law o hindi, at makapag-address ng rebelyon sa ating bansa. At ito ay malinaw po sa ating Saligang Batas, na ang ating Pangulo ay may kapangyarihan na magdeklara ng rebelyon either sa buong bansa o kaya doon sa mga lugar na apektado po ng rebelyon.

Burgos: Well, of course, a lot of people, Mr. Speaker, are very sensitive to martial law here in this country. They are scared about the possible violations of human rights. How can we assure that there will be no abuses of power that will take place? I know the military has said they would be very careful with that.

Alvarez: Alam niyo po, malinaw po sa ating Saligang Batas. Itong Saligang Batas natin ngayon, ay hindi po ito kagaya ng Saligang Batas noong araw, noong panahon ni Marcos. Kung basahin lang po nila yung probisyon ng Constitution, marami pong mga safeguards na inilagay yung 1987 Constitution upang sa ganoon ay hindi maabuso yung martial law. Malinaw po diyan na hindi po suspended ang operation ng civil authorities, hindi po suspended ang operations ng mga korte. So diyan po ay manalig po tayo na kapag bukas po ang mga institutions na ito, ay siguradong hindi po ito maaabuso at dagdag pa rito, yung martial law noon, kung inyong matatandaan, ay lahat po ng mga himpilan ay sarado po, wala pong media noong araw, hindi po kagaya ngayon na malaya po tayong nagsasalita.

Burgos: Well, Mr. Speaker, President Duterte did say that he may consider extending martial law throughout the whole country if he feels that there are some threats in Luzon, because we’ve heard reports about the Maute group or possible terror groups expanding here in Metro Manila. Wouldn’t that be concerning though, to have it spread to the entire country? Is that necessary?

Alvarez: Well, nakalagay po iyan, nakasaad po iyan sa Saligang Batas, na mayroon pong ganoong kapangyarihan ang ating Pangulo. Pero huwag po nating pangunahan yung mga pangyayari. Hindi pa naman po nangyayari iyan ngayon. Hindi po siguro tayo dapat pang magkomento para doon at wala po tayong dapat ipangamba para mangyari yun, dahil hindi pa po nangyayari. Ngayon kung ang tanong ay kung yun bang Pangulo ay may kapangyarihan na magdeklara ng martial law sa buong bansa, malinaw po yung ating Saligang Batas, mayroon pong kapangyarihan.

Burgos: Well, Mr. Speaker, some analysts have said that this particular siege in Marawi was very concerning, of course. We’re seeing pictures of evacuees, kind of a state of emergency there, but do you think that it would have been enough just to declare a state of emergency as opposed to doing martial law? Sixty days is a long time, so I guess the concern is, the belief in Congress is that maybe it could be shortened as opposed to keeping it the full 60 days, because the police said it would take maybe three days to clear the Maute group from Marawi.

Alvarez: Ma’am, mabuti po siguro kung yung mga nagkokomento po, pumunta mismo sa Marawi, at tingan po yung sitwasyon. Taga-Mindanao po ako ma’am, at kabisado ko po yung terrain doon. Tama po yung ginawa ng ating Pangulo. Para po magsalita tayo na siguro puwede na yung emergency powers, puwede na po yung ano… nandito po tayo sa Manila, napakalayo po natin ma’am, para magsalita tayo nang ganoon. So ipaubaya po natin sa ating military iyan at mas alam nila kung ano ang nangyayari, at mas alam nila kung paano po ia-address yung problema na ito.

Burgos: And in the meantime, I guess the… what can Congress and lawmakers do to ensure the safety of the citizens there? Of course, a lot of help and relief efforts by the nearby cities are being done, are lawmakers going to be pushing for more of those efforts to help?

Alvarez: Ma’am, suportado po natin yung ating DSWD at yung ating executive branch. Mayroon po tayong enough na pondo na ibinadget po diyan sa mga emergency situations po na ganito, at ako naman po ay kumpiyansa na ito pong mga namumuno ng ating mga… ng ating DSWD ay kayang-kaya po nila i-address yung problema. At karagdagan pa po diyan ma’am ay marami namang mga civil organizations, itong mga NGOs po, na tumutulong din po talaga sa ating mga kababayan.

Burgos: Alright. Well, thank you so much for sharing your insight with us. House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez there, joining us in explaining the situation with the martial law in Mindanao. #

DZMM/PDA

Failon Ngayon (8:00-10:00AM)

Ted Failon

(7:53AM)

Panayam kay House Speaker Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez

Failon: Kausapin po natin ngayon si House Speaker Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez. Maayong buntag, Speaker.

Alvarez: Ted, maayong buntag.

Failon: Are you now in Manila or nasa Mindanao po kayo?

Alvarez: Nasa Manila pa Ted, naghahanda na pumunta ng Davao dahil nagpatawag ng meeting si Presidente at mga alas kuwatro po ng hapon yun.

Failon: Alas kuwatro po ng hapon?

Alvarez: Opo, opo.

Failon: Ok. So Speaker, mayroon na pong pormal na proklamasyon ang Presidente, ito po ay nailathala na rin po, yung laman ng kanyang proklamasyon. Within 48 hours daw po from the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the writ, the President shall submit a report in person or in writing to the Congress. So tanong po namin Speaker, ano na po ang disposisyon dito po ng Kamara sa inyo pong pagtanggap ng pormal na proklamasyon?

Alvarez: Ganito po iyan Ted, nagpulong kami kahapon at yun nga, hinintay namin kung sa paanong pamamaraan ay i-report ng ating Pangulo yung pagdeklara ng martial law. Ngayon, kung ito ay i-report niya personally, so we have to convene Congress para tanggapin at pakinggan yung kanyang report. Pero kung ito ay gagawin niya in writing, hindi na kailangan na mag-convene kami agad-agad, unless mayroong madesisyunan yung mga miyembro na kailangang mag-convene kami at pag-usapan yung kanyang report.

Failon: Opo. Can you educate us Speaker, as a lawyer, papaano po, ano po ba ang prosesong iyan, kung pagtanggap niyo po ng naturang proklamasyon ano ho ba ang dapat, supposed to be po, ano, ang dapat malaman ng mga miyembro ng Kongreso? Mayroon ho bang dapat kayong mga kuwestiyon kung ito ba ay nararapat talaga o hindi o ano po?

Alvarez: Ganito po Ted, paulit-ulit kong binabasa yung provision ng Constitution, at ang nakita ko lang ay yung mandato talaga doon sa Pangulo na within 48 hours kailangan magreport sa Congress, either personally or in writing. Tapos nakalagay din doon na yung declaration na ng martial law ay effective within 60 days, yung 60-day period. Ngayon, pagkatapos ng 60 days ay yung Congress ay puwedeng sabihin niya na… o kaya bago pa mag-60 days puwedeng mag-convene ang Congress at sabihin na tama na at mukhang wala na yung threat o yung danger doon sa public safety. Pero kung… in the same manner, na pupuwede din sabihin ng Congress na hindi pa pala tapos yung danger at kinakailangan pa ng public safety kaya puwede pa nating pahabain. So puwedeng i-shorten at puwede ring pahabain.

Failon: Ok. Kumbaga isho-shorten o pahabain sa pag-aapruba ng Kongreso?

Alvarez: Opo, opo.

Failon: Opo. So sa ngayon po, not necessarily that you have to convene and ask the President, hindi po ganoon?

Alvarez: Hindi po, wala po akong nakitang ganoong nakalathala sa ating Konstitusyon.

Failon: Opo. Kasi po dito sa binabanggit po nga sa ating Saligang Batas daw po, the Congress, if not in session… so ngayon po kasi mayroon kayong sesyon, ano po?

Alvarez: Opo. Kaya hindi po mag-apply yung provision na yun.

Failon: Yes… shall within 24 hours following such proclamation or suspension, convene in accordance with its rules without need of a call. Ok. So kayo po ngayon sa Kongreso, magmamasid lang sa pagpapatupad po ng martial law na ito?

Alvarez: Opo. In fact, kahapon ay napagkasunduan namin na lahat ng mga Kongresista, lalong lalo na sa Mindanao ay umuwi muna sa kani-kanilang distrito at tingnan yung kundisyon at yung kalagayan ng mga constituents.

Failon: Opo. Actually po, inyo rin po itong nabanggit sa panayam po sa inyo kahapon, napakinggan ko po kayo, na sa atin pong kasalukuyang Saligang Batas, in place po naman ang check and balance ano?

Alvarez: Opo, kasi ano, Ted… in fact malinaw sa ating Saligang Batas na lahat ng korte ay magpa-function pa rin at saka yung mga civil authorities.

Failon: Opo. At kailan po… yun nga, in case po na mayroong miyembro ng Kongreso na maghayag ng kanyang damdamin sa implementasyon nito at any time, puwede po siyang tumayo at magsabi na i-convene ang Kongreso for this particular purpose, puwede kaya yun?

Alvarez: Opo Ted, kasi may session naman ang Kongreso hanggang next week at puwede po natin mailahad para talakayin iyan.

Failon: Opo. Sir, para lang po doon sa mga may agam-agam ano po, dito po sa proklamasyon na ito, ano po ang inyong mensahe sa lahat na nangangamba, ang iba po… lalo na po doon sa pahayag ng Pangulo na baka tumulay ang problema sa Kabisayaan at eventually po sa Luzon?

Alvarez: Ted, in fact… ganito iyan. Para sa akin, huwag tayong masyadong mangamba doon sa pagdeklara ng martial law, dahil nga itong ating bagong… yung 1987 Constitution ay naglagay po ng maraming safeguards para hindi ito maabuso, in fact, lahat po ng korte natin, Korte Suprema at yung mga regional trial courts ay bukas at hindi ito sarado upang sa ganoon ay… para duminig ng kahit na anong pag-aabuso na mangyayari. Ngayon, dito naman sa… yung mga nagtatanong, bakit naman daw nasa Marawi lang yung putukan ay dineklara buong Mindanao yung martial law? Ganito iyan Ted, common sense. Yung Marawi, maliit lang na lugar iyan, ngayon, nandoon yung putukan, hindi natin naman natin puwedeng ipagkaila na iyan ay… (line cut)

Failon: Hello Speaker? Sandali lang po, medyo po may problema ang ating signal, as usual, ano po, ito po yung problema po natin sa klase po ng… mawalang galang lang po… serbisyo ng telco, nagpuputol-putol po si Speaker, sayang po ang ating oras. Alright, it’s now 8:20 in the morning, ating balikan si Speaker. Sir, you said Marawi is a small… again, go ahead sir.

Alvarez: Opo. Yung putukan po, nandodoon sa Marawi ngayon… maliit lang po na lugar iyan. Ngayon, common sense po, ay talagang kapagka ito ay tuloy-tuloy na bakbakan, siyempre malaki ang posibilidad na iyan ay tumakbo sa karatig-bayan, karatig-probinsya, at kinakailangan na hanggang doon ay puwede natin silang habulin. Hindi natin puwedeng ipagkaila na itong mga terrorist groups na ito ay in place lang, sa lahat ng parte siguro ng Mindanao, nandoon na iyan. At saka dapat nating tandaan na hindi po natin sini-single out yung mga terorista na naniniwala sa relihiyon ng Islam, hindi po. Lahat po ng terorista ay kasama po dito, na ina-address ng ating administrasyon. Hindi lang po yung ano… hindi lang itong Maute group, hindi lang po yung Abu Sayyaf, kundi lahat po ng naghahasik po ng terrorism sa buong Mindanao.

Failon: Opo. Huling punto po Speaker, ano po ang inyong take doon po sa obserbasyon ng iba na ito po na naman ay failure of intelligence or maari pong mayroon ngang mahusay na intelligence information, hindi lang po naitama yung koordinasyon, Speaker, dito po sa gitna ng pangyayaring ito na bakit nakapunta doon ang Maute na armado po ng mataas na kalibre ng baril at nakapag-commander pa even ng government vehicles, sir?

Alvarez: Ted, para sa akin, ano, hindi ako military, at sa tingin ko naman magkahiwalay yung intelligence at saka yung operation. Ngayon, yung intelligence group, sa tingin ko hindi naman nagkamali na ma-identify at sabihin na talagang nandodoon ang mga terrorist groups na nandodoon sa Marawi. Malamang, if at all, baka yung sa operations, medyo nagkulang ng kaunti, pero sa akin naman wala namang perpekto na operation. Hindi naman siguro kasing lala ito noong Mamasapano na talagang totally walang coordination doon sa mga proper authorities. Ito po magkasama po ang military at pulis dito, at sama-sama po pati po yung mga local government.

Failon: Ok, sige po. So kami po ay aantabay po sa kung ano po ang mangyayari mamaya sa inyo pong pulong, sa Malakanyang po ito Speaker?

Alvarez: Hindi po, sa Davao po.

Failon: Mismong Davao na po? So you’re flying for Davao now.

Alvarez: Opo.

Failon: Ok, sige po. So Speaker, we’ll be keeping in touch and God bless.

Alvarez: Maraming salamat Ted, daghang salamat.

Failon: Thank you.

STATEMENT OF DEPUTY MINORITY LEADER HARRY ROQUE ON THE DECLARATION OF MARTIAL LAW OVER MINDANAO

The siege of Marawi City is regrettable and abhorrent. Violence should never be the means by which persons attain their interests. During these times, the most vulnerable are the innocent civilians caught between the crossfires.

At this point, and based on the facts currently available to us, I support the temporary imposition of Martial Law over Mindanao for 60 days, pursuant to Article VII, Section 18 of the 1987 Constitution. Principally, Martial Law may be declared in cases of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it.

The bottom line is that the President has access to information that is only available to him as Commander-in-Chief.  I am not in the position to second-guess him.

Having said that, I stress the need for government to strictly observe the strict requirements established by the 1987 Constitution for the declaration and imposition of Martial Law.

Congress, pursuant to the same provision, has a duty to assess, at the end of that 60-day period, whether there is still a need for Martial Law.

The Congress, voting jointly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its Members in regular or special session, may revoke such proclamation or suspension, which revocation shall not be set aside by the President.

Upon the initiative of the President, the Congress may, in the same manner, extend such proclamation or suspension for a period to be determined by the Congress, if the invasion or rebellion shall persist and public safety requires it.

While the declaration also suspends the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus for the same period,

it is important to stress that the other remedies for the protection of civil and political rights issued by the Supreme Court under the Constitution, namely the privileges of the Writ of Amparo and the Writ of Habeas Data – remain in place.

Illegal searches and seizure remain prohibited. Only the privilege to question the legality of warrantless arrests is suspended during that 60-day period. 

Moreover, during the suspension of the privilege of the writ, any person thus arrested or detained shall be judicially charged within three days, otherwise he shall be released.

Martial law is not blanket authority for abuse of the rights of citizens.

The Congress, if not in session, shall, within twenty-four hours following such proclamation or suspension, convene in accordance with its rules without need of a call.

I also stress the following Constitutional prescriptions found in Art. VII, Section 18:

·       The Supreme Court may review, in an appropriate proceeding filed by any citizen, the sufficiency of the factual basis of the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ or the extension thereof, and must promulgate its decision thereon within thirty days from its filing.

·       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.

·       The suspension of the privilege of the writ shall apply only to persons judicially charged for rebellion or offenses inherent in or directly connected with invasion.

In light of this, we must also remind government forces, as well as the Maute group, no matter how futile it may be, to act in accordance with international humanitarian law, particularly to extend humane treatment to non-combatants.

If the reports of ISIS presence in the Philippines are true, the attacks are analogous to an invasion or an international armed conflict. Under International Humanitarian Law, an International Armed Conflict exists when armed conflict arises between two or more States, even if the state of war is not recognized by one of them.

In its recent commentary to the 1949 Geneva Conventions, the International Committee of the Red Cross wrote that “[i]nternational armed conflicts are fought between States.

The government is only one of the constitutive elements of the State, while the territory and the population are the other constitutive elements. Therefore, any attack directed against the territory, population, or the military or civilian infrastructure constitutes a resort to armed force against the State to which this territory, population or infrastructure belongs.”

While ISIS is not a State, its terrorist attacks are made pursuant to such a claim.

If they are seeking to gain control over certain territories in the Philippines, such should properly be classified as an invasion.

Even if ISIS is not involved, and there is no international element to this controversy, the incident in Marawi may still be properly classified as a rebellion.

According to the Revised Penal Code, rebellion is committed by rising publicly and taking arms against the Government for the purpose of removing a territory from its allegiance. Based on the facts available to us, the flag of ISIS has been raised in Marawi City.

It appears to be an attempt to disrupt the territorial integrity of the Philippines.

During emergencies such as this, the government must act swiftly. While many fear Martial Law because of its negative connotations in the past, we should look at the present facts with a sober perspective. 

STATEMENT BY THE
HONORABLE SALVADOR B. BELARO, JR.
1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader
House of Representatives

REACTION TO MARTIAL LAW IN MINDANAO:

“MAUTE GROUP IS A DISEASED BODY THAT MUST BE SURGICALLY REMOVED BY MILITARY & POLICE OPERATIONS”

I support the decision of President Duterte to place all of Mindanao under Martial Law. It is prudent to prevent the Maute group from infecting other parts of Mindanao outside of the Lanao provinces, Central Mindanao, and Western Mindanao.

We are no longer in the 1970s. The vast majority of Muslim rebels of the 70s are the ones who are now in peace talks with the government. This Maute group is a diseased body that must be surgically removed. The parts of Mindanao it has infected must be treated with military, police, and development measures.

Martial Law in Mindanao is not new. We've been down this road before. The Maute group is desperate to keep on fighting because it has not realized the wisdom of peace. The Duterte administration's legal team can address the legal questions adequately and learn from lessons of past Martial Law situations.

But now, our prayers and thoughts are with our brothers and sisters in Marawi City and all over Mindanao. We also pray for our military and police called and mobilized to defend our country against the real and present threat of Islamic extremists.  (END)

WELCOME MESSAGE BY REPRESENTATIVE PANTALEON D. ALVAREZ

1st District, Davao del Norte

Speaker, House of Representatives, 17^th Congress

CHINA (GUANGXI)-THE PHILIPPINES

BUSINESS MATCHING SEMINAR FOR ENTREPRENEURS

Makati Shangri-La, May 24, 2017

Esteemed guests, delegates from the Autonomous Region of Guangxi-

1.      Mr. Peng Qinghua,

2.      Mr. Jin Yuan,

3.      Mr. Shi Shenglong,

4.      Mr. Jiang Liansheng,

5.      Mr. Gan Lin, and

6.      Mr. Wei Ran;

-colleagues from the House of Representatives, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and from the Philippine Silk Road International Chamber of Commerce; participants for today’s conference; ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant morning and welcome to the Philippines. On behalf of the Philippine government, I welcome  your visit to our country. Tsao shang hao.

We all look forward to this morning’s event. We will all benefit from today’s exchanges, considering that there are a number of concerns between our economies that we have to address. For example, there is active trade relations between Guangxi and the Philippines.

The man commodities exported from Guangxi to the Philippines include: diesel oil, active yeast, liquefied butane, LC monitor, liquefied propane, diesel truck, motor gasoline and aviation gasoline, hot-rolled alloy steel not in coils, and diesel buses. The main commodities imported from the Philippines include nickel ores, copper waste and scrap, copper ore, integrated circuits, processors and controllers, amplifiers,

We should also talk about the investment of Guangxi in the Philippines, and vice versa. By the end of 2016, Guangxi approved two (2)  investments in the Philippines. Further, enterprises in Guangxi signed two (2) engineering contracts in the Philippines. Theses investments in the Philippines are mainly undertaken by state-owned enterprise. The business scope mainly covers construction industry and service industry such as the installation of some units of AGUS VI Hydropower Station in  Iligan City, Mindanao and the Cagayan Hydropower Station in Baguio City.  There is much room for more investments.

The Philippines, on the other hand, accumulatively invested eleven (11) projects in Guangxi. The contracted foreign investment amounted to 99.07 million US dollars. Foreign investment in actual use amounted to 12.28 million dollars. The investment projects are mainly in manufacturing such as the Hezhou Jiabao Foods Co., Ltd., and the Guanxi Feilong Real Estate Development Co., Ltd.

With these concerns in today’s agenda, I hope that this morning’s event will be a gift that will keep on giving. Our partnership here today will contribute to the growth of our economies. Further, it will foster more cordial relations of friendship and understanding, in addition to political good will, between Philippines and China.

By reaching out to each other in the spirit of brotherhood, we will aid in developing stronger government to government ties between nations, greater culture to culture understanding, and a more robust business to business relationships. All of us, including our nations, and most of all, our people, will benefit from this.

I look forward to a meaningful exchange of ideas. In line with this, I am happy to inform that the Chairman of the Committee of Economic Affairs of the House of Representatives, and also the Head of the Phil-China Parliament Friendship Group, Rep. Arthur C. Yap, who once served as the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, is also present here today. His contributions to this seminar will be very significant.

Lastly, allow me to acknowledge the presence of the representatives from the Autonomous Region of Guangxi, the agriculture sector, businessmen and investors, and concerned public and private institutions. Your presence here is much appreciated.

Once again, thank you for inviting us and for sharing your time. I look forward to your valuable inputs from this activity. Good morning and may we all have a pleasant day ahead.

Photo Release

24 May 2017

                 

PH-CHINA BUSINESS MATCHING. House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez addressed Chinese and Filipiino businessmen attending the China (Guangxi) - Philippines Business Matching Seminar for Entrepreneurs held at the Makati Shanri-la Hotel on Wednesday. The Chinese delegation was composed of representatives from the Autonomous Region of Guangxi led by Peng Qinghua, the Communist Party of China (CPC) chief in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; the agriculture sector; businessmen and investors; and concerned public and private institutions. He said the seminar will contribute to the growth of the economies of both countries and foster more cordial relations of friendship and understanding. The Speaker also met separately with Peng and other Guangxi officials Jin Yuan, Jiang Liansheng, Shi Shenglong, Gan Lin, and Wei Ran. With the Speaker were Rep. Arthur Yap (3rd District, Bohol), former Finance Secretary and Congressman Margarito Teves, and officials of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) led by Chairman Emeritus Dr. James Chua, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) led by Undersecretary Silverio Rodolfo and the Philippine  Silk Road International Chamber of Commerce. (MS/RBB)

NEWS RELEASE

May 24, 2017

Alvarez optimistic business matching to enhance PH-China ties

House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez today welcomed the holding of the China (Guangxi) - Philippines Business Matching Seminar for Entrepreneurs as it will contribute to the growth of the economies of both countries and foster more cordial relations of friendship and understanding.

“I hope that this morning’s event will be a gift that will keep on giving. Our partnership here today will contribute to the growth of our economies. Further, it will foster more cordial relations of friendship and understanding, in addition to political good will, between Philippines and China,” said Alvarez during his remarks at the start of the seminar held at the Makati Shangri-la Hotel.

Alvarez further said that by reaching out to each other in the spirit of brotherhood, entrepreneurs from both countries will aid in developing stronger government to government ties between nations, greater culture to culture understanding, and a more robust business to business relationship. “All of us, including our nations, and most of all, our people, will benefit from this,” said Alvarez.

About 150 Chinese and Filipino businessmen from different companies attended the seminar aimed at providing numerous investment opportunities for the participants and other interested entrepreneurs from both China and the Philippines.

The Chinese delegation was composed of representatives from the Autonomous Region of Guangxi led by Peng Qinghua, the Communist Party of China (CPC) chief in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; the agriculture sector; businessmen and investors; and concerned public and private institutions.

Alvarez said everyone will benefit from today’s exchanges, considering that there are a number of concerns between both countries’ economies that have to be addressed.

For example, Alvarez said, there is an active trade relation between Guangxi and the Philippines.

The Speaker cited that the main commodities exported from Guangxi to the Philippines include diesel oil, active yeast, liquefied butane, LCD monitor, liquefied propane, diesel truck, motor gasoline and aviation gasoline, hot-rolled alloy steel not in coils, and diesel buses.

Meanwhile, the main commodities imported from the Philippines include nickel ores, copper waste and scrap, copper ore, integrated circuits, processors and controllers, amplifiers, he said.

By the end of 2016, Alvarez said Guangxi approved two investments in the Philippines. Furthermore, enterprises in Guangxi signed two engineering contracts in the Philippines.

“These investments in the Philippines are mainly undertaken by state-owned enterprises. The business scope mainly covers construction industry and service industry such as the installation of some units of AGUS VI Hydropower Station in  Iligan City, Mindanao and the Cagayan Hydropower Station in Baguio City.  There is much room for more investments,” said Alvarez.

On the other hand, the Speaker said the country accumulatively invested 11 projects in Guangxi. The contracted foreign investment amounted to US$99.07 million. Foreign investment in actual use amounted to US$12.28 million.

The investment projects are mainly in manufacturing such as the Hezhou Jiabao Foods Co., Ltd., and the Guangxi Feilong Real Estate Development Co., Ltd., he said.

Other delegates from the Autonomous Region of Guangxi acknowledged by the Speaker were : Jin Yuan, Counselor of the Economic and Commercial Counsellor’s Office, Embassy of China in the Philippines; Shi Shenglong; Jiang Liansheng, Director General, Department of Commerce; Gan Lin; and Wie Ran.

For the Philippine delegation, the Speaker acknowledged the presence of Bohol Rep. Arthur Yap, chairman of the House committee on economic affairs, and Head of the Phil-China Parliament Friendship Group; representatives of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), and Philippine Silk Road International Chamber of Commerce.

Meanwhile, in their remarks, Peng and Jin said they are here to implement the cooperation consensus reached by the two leaders of China and the Philippines.

Dr. Francis Chua, PCCI Chairman Emeritus, said the Speaker’s delegation last week was received by no less than Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. He said the improved bond between China and the Philippines is historic after years of cold relationship. “This is an exciting moment for our  bilateral relations,” said Chua. (30) RBB

House of Representatives
24 May 2017
Privilege Speech
“THE BIG ONE”

By: Cong. Aurelio D. Gonzales, Jr. 3rd District of Pampanga

Mr. Speaker, my distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen:

Magandang araw po sa inyong lahat.

I stand on a question of personal and collective privilege to remind everyone of a huge challenge we have to face as one nation - a challenge which requires unity, discipline, cooperation, setting aside of political and social differences, and most important of all, utmost faith in God.

We have all been talking about this looming threat which is certain to happen and which we have to eventually face. But as to when and where in particular it will strike, we are all clueless.

I am talking here about the “BIG ONE”, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake to be generated by the West Valley Fault, which moves roughly every 400 years. Since the last major earthquake triggered by this fault was in 1658 or 359 years ago, our seismologists predict that this West Valley Fault is already ripe for movement.

Just this month of April 2017, our country had experienced earthquakes of less magnitude. Last April 4, a magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck 5 kilometers west of Batangas. On April 8, twin earthquakes with magnitudes of 5.6 and 6.0 hit two barangays in Mabini, Batangas, respectively. Two days later or on April 10, a magnitude 5.4 earthquake hit Palapag, Northern Samar. On the same day, another earthquake with a magnitude of 5.7 struck Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental. On April 29, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Sarangani and Davao Occidental provinces.

Are these events a tell-tale sign of a lurking mega-quake?

An earthquake with a magnitude of at least 7.2 can do less damage if it happens in a desert. But just imagine the damage and horrible aftermath it will cause if it strikes the heart of Metro Manila - a densely populated urban region where the government capital and center of economy lie.

We can just picture a catastrophe of epic proportions - the aftershocks, the great loss of human lives, injuries and trauma, collapse of buildings and structures, impassable roads and bridges, landslides, floods, and tsunamis. We also have to deal with the eventual impact on our economy, transportation and communication systems, the peace and order situation, and political stability. There will be chaos, lawlessness, outbreak of disease, lack of basic necessities and medicine, depression and mental consequences to the survivors.

I do not want to sound paranoid, ruin your calm day or make you wish that I should not have made this privilege speech in front of you. But we must face the reality. We must be prepared! We cannot just brush off this threat, continue with our daily lives and when the shaking of the ground starts, that will be the only time that we start to come to our senses and press the panic button, not knowing where to run, where to hide, and what to do next.

We are all aware that our National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council or the NDRRMC has already come up with plans and preparations and continues to discuss strategies for the earthquake and the devastation it can potentially cause. We even took part in the Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drills. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with other members of the NDRRMC, has even prepared predictive analytics for its humanitarian response to make it better equipped to provide all the assistance the people will need if and when the Big One strikes.

But are these preparations enough? Is our government ready for this? Are we, the Filipino people, up to the challenge? Is Metro Manila, as well as the nearby provinces, prepared for this major calamity?

How about our very own Batasang Pambansa Complex? Our main building lies only 800 meters from the fault and a recent study identified Batasan Hills as among the five spots in Quezon City that may be affected by a major seismic activity.

About 2 months from now, His Excellency President Rodrigo Duterte will be delivering his second State of the Nation Address here. Top government officials, lawmakers, local and foreign dignitaries, known personalities, the media, and the Filipino people will convene in this hall to witness the event. Heaven forbids, but will this building hold if the uninvited BIG ONE strikes at that very day?

Last 2011, I also had the privilege to rise up in this august hall and speak about the serious threat of the Big One and how prepared is the House of Representatives complex for this. As a licensed civil engineer, I proposed a mandatory structural audit of all the buildings and structures inside the compound, giving priority to those built prior to 1992. Our main building was built in 1978, without considering the earthquake fault in the area and three years prior to the publication of the National Structural Code.

In that same speech, I also suggested that we need to look again at the civil engineering curriculum being used in our schools and see if it is updated and current as we have to be sure that the curriculum in our civil/structural engineering courses conforms with or at least approximates the one being used in Japan and other earthquake prone countries where building designs are meant to withstand major earthquakes.

I also stated in my speech that we need to check if our infrastructures have enough factor of safety to overcome a high magnitude earthquake. This is important to determine the need to upgrade the factor of safety in our infrastructure designs and to reinforce existing structures. Looking back at these proposals, were the necessary steps undertaken?

Now, I am once again standing in this august hall with the same questions that continue to linger in my mind: What have we done and what we must still do to face the impending BIG ONE and survive as a nation?

We have to admit that despite our preparations, we cannot guarantee zero-casualty and insubstantial damage. However, we can cut down and reduce casualties and damages by focusing on the following steps:

First, we have to develop national governance and business systems that are resistant to strong earthquakes.

Second, we have to improve resiliency of urban structures and settlements.

Third, we have to enhance the current risk and emergency management.

Fourth, we have to also enhance the community disaster management capacities.

Fifth, we have to formulate the reconstruction system.

And last, we have to promote research and technology development.

We can also plan on some activities for risk reduction and to ensure earthquake preparedness which I have classified into three categories, namely: (1.) Public Help; (2,) Mutual Help; and (3.) Self Help.

These are just my suggestions. I am sure each of us has a brilliant idea in mind on how to prepare for this BIG ONE. As legislators, it is within our power to craft the necessary laws to augment our preparation for this calamity.

Let us not waste time. Through our collective effort, we can face this challenge and achieve!

As the clock continues to tick, each hour counts and each day matters. With a sense of urgency, I challenge my colleagues, I dare the government, I urge the Filipino people to do their respective roles in preparation of this test of a lifetime.

Thank you and a pleasant day to everyone.