The House and Senate leaders have constricted to virtually a day the deliberations on whether or not to accede to the President’s request for a one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao.

The joint session of the Congress to decide on the requested extension is set on Wednesday, December 13, 2017, the previously scheduled last session day before the Christmas recess.

It appears that the supermajority in each Chamber is prepared to act as the President’s rubberstamp even as the debates will be limited and rendered inconsequential.

The Constitution will be sacrificed at the altar of presidential importuning.

EDCEL C. LAGMAN