D E C I S I O N
SANDOVAL-GUTIERREZ, J.:
I.
THE FACTS
On
February 24, 2006, as the Filipino nation celebrated the 20th Anniversary of
the EDSA People Power I, President Arroyo
issued PP 1017, implemented by G.O. No. 5, declaring a state of national
emergency, thus:
NOW,
THEREFORE,
I, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President of the Republic of the Philippines and
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers
vested upon me by Section 18, Article 7 of the Philippine Constitution which
states that: “The President. . . whenever it becomes necessary, . . . may call
out (the) armed forces to prevent or suppress. . .rebellion. . .,” and in my
capacity as their Commander-in-Chief, do hereby command the Armed Forces of the
Philippines, to maintain law and order throughout the Philippines, prevent or
suppress all forms of lawless violence as well as any act of insurrection or
rebellion and to enforce obedience to all the laws and to all decrees, orders
and regulations promulgated by me personally or upon my direction; and as provided in Section 17, Article 12 of the Constitution do hereby
declare a State of National Emergency.
