Transcript of Interview of Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon

Drilon: Under the Constitution, the President will submit a report to Congress within 48 hours. We will await a copy of the report, which should be coming to us not later than tomorrow, to find out the factual basis of such declaration. I will request that the senators be given a separate briefing on what are the circumstances that led to the declaration. I think that would be useful so that we could fully understand the premises or the basis, because we get conflicting reports like, I heard the AFP Spokesman that everything is under control. If it's under control, why was martial law declared? We don't want to come to any conclusion until, at the very least, we get a report as required by the Constitution.

Drilon: Just to be on record, we must remember that martial law does not suspend the Constitution. It does not substitute the civil courts with military courts; the civil courts will continue to function; the bill of rights will continue to be enforced; there's no warrantless arrest with the declaration of martial law unless the writ of habeas corpus is suspended and the suspension will only cover those who are charged with rebellion. The important thing is we want to know the factual basis of the declaration and under the Constitution, the President will submit to Congress a report within 48 hours. It is important because anybody can question in the Supreme Court the factual basis of the declaration.

Q: Kailangan yun to justify yung basis ng declaration?

Drilon: That is the purpose because also under the Constitution, the Congress has the power to revoke. But the power to revoke should be based on factual basis in the same manner that the declaration should have factual basis.