Why are some Senators and Representatives talking about extending martial law in Mindanao when the President has not even officially initiated such extension?

Under the Constitution, while an extension needs the concurrence of the absolute majority of the members of the Congress voting in joint session, any such extension shall be upon the initiative of the President.

It stands to reason that any extension should not exceed the original maximum period of sixty (60) days as a provided in the Constitution.

The guiding constitutional safeguard is the limited duration of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus.

EDCEL C. LAGMAN