As expected, the 17th Congress granted President Rodrigo Duterte's request to extend martial law in Mindanao to December 31.
The Senate and the House of Representatives in a joint session on Saturday, July 22, voted 261-18 in favor of the President's request. No one abstained among those present.
"Pursuant to the Constitution and the rules of the joint session, the motion to extend the proclamation of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus is hereby approved by the Congress," House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez announced, as members of Congress clapped.
Below is the breakdown of votes:
Senators: 16 "yes" votes, 4 "no" votes
Members of the House of Representatives: 245 "yes" votes, 14 "no" votes