By Charissa Luci-Atienza Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Ferdinand Gaite bewailed on Wednesday the “undeclared” martial law in the House of Representatives after he was barred last Monday from bringing in and wearing his protest-inspired barong Tagalog that calls for an end to “endo” or short-term labor contracting scheme. He disclosed that the Presidential Security Group (PSG) prohibited him from bringing in his SONA barong inside the House of Representatives Complex. Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite presents to the media his custom anti-ENDO barong which he planned to wear during the fourth State of the Nation Address of President Duterte last July 22, 2019.
(MANILA BULLETIN) "PSG ang nagharang. I am bringing it in kasama ang staff namin. Bawal daw kasi explicit daw, meron daw orders nung tinatanong ko kung nasan ang kasulatan, walang maipakita,” he told reporters while showing his barong bearing a hammer design crushing the practice of “endo”. “Apparently may martial law din pala dito sa loob House of Representatives,” Gaite said. He expressed disappointment that even the freedom of expression was curtailed in the Lower Chamber. "Kala ko nung huli kong binasa, mayroong freedom of expression. Walang martial law dito supposedly hindi lang pala sa Mindanao, merong undeclared martial law,” Gaite, a veteran public sector unionist, said. “Ang panawagan namin ay ang laya na magpahayag ay dapat kinikilala at nirerespeto,” he said. Gaite’s SONA barong called for a P750-national minimum wage and an end to endo. Gabriela partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas also complained that she was prohibited from bringing in her fan bearing a plea not to commercialize the delivery of public services. Brosas' black big fan had a text “Serbisyo sa Tao, HUwag Gawing Negosyo.” During the press conference, the members of the Makabayan bloc sought the lifting of martial law in Mindanao. Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said martial law extension was only being pushed to justify the higher budget allocation for the military. “Kapag ineextend na nang inextend ang martial law, magiging unli-martial law na yan. Gusto nila i-extend ang martial law para mainstill ang takot sa mga mamamayan,” he said. Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Eufemia Cullamat, Kabataan partylist Rep. Sarah Elago and Brosas warned that the proposed further extension of martial law in Mindanao would only fire up more human rights violations. For his part, ACT Teachers Representative France Castro said, "There is a creeping nationwide martial law that continues to target peasants, workers, and citizens who raise dissent against the anti-people policies of this administration. We continue to oppose any extension and expansion of the declaration of martial law.” National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. had recommended the extension of martial law in Mindanao for another year, citing the continuous rebellion in the region. On December 12, 2018, Congress – in a joint session – granted President Duterte’s request to extend martial law anew for the third time and suspend the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2019. After more than three hours of deliberations, a total of 235 members of Congress voted in favor of the martial law extension, while 28 thumbed it down and one abstained. The Senate voted 12-5 with one abstention, while House of Representatives voted 223-23. On December 6, 2018, President Duterte asked Congress to extend the martial law proclamation and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2019. On May 23, 2017, President Duterte imposed martial law in Mindanao for 60 days due to the Marawi siege. For the second time, he requested Congress to extend martial law in the region until December 31, 2017, and, in a special joint session on July 22, 2017, a total of 261 Congress members, including 16 senators approved the President’s request. The President sought to extend the martial law for one more year “to quell rebellion completely” in Mindanao that prodded Congress to convene in a joint session on December 13, 2017. After more than four hours of deliberations, Congress gave in to President Duterte’s request to extend martial law and suspend the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018. A total of 240 members of Congress voted in favor of the martial law extension, while 27 rejected it. The Senate voted 14-4, while House of Representatives voted 226- 23.