GMA’s brunch: A quashed coup attempt and a declaration of state of emergency.

I just could imagine how many cups of coffee were consumed today. The president, the cabinet and the military have been up since dawn as an impending coup that sought to overthrow her was eventually averted.

Lt Gen Hermogenes Esperon, Philippine Army chief announced on TV that the coup plot was quelled even before it could do damage. The head of the army's elite Scout Rangers regiment, Brig Gen Danilo Lim (the alleged coup plotter), have been brought to the custody of the Army chief of staff Gen Generoso Senga.

In response, President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo just before lunch, declared a state of emergency. The declaration is contained in Proclamation 1017, which she signed after a meeting since dawn with her Cabinet, police and military officials in Malacañang.
She invoked Section 18, Article 7 of the Constitution that allowed the President to call on the armed forces to prevent or suppress rebellion.

Section 18. The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion. In case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it, he may, for a period not exceeding sixty days, suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or place the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law. Within forty-eight hours from the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, the President shall submit a report in person or in writing to the Congress. 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.

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.

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 of habeas corpus 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 of habeas corpus.

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

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

In the meantime, a protest rally (I hope it remains peaceful) along EDSA is being staged.

What a way to celebrate the 20th anniversary of People Power.

Hmm… I wonder what GMA will have for dinner today?

Sources:
Inq.7

BBC.co.uk