Law Summary
Grounds and Justification for Martial Law
- The law identifies the prevalence of lawlessness, rebellion, and disorder as a state of actual war against the people and legitimate government.
- It emphasizes the need to counter subversive, seditious, rebellious, and insurrectionary activities threatening national security.
Assumption of Greater Control and Powers by the President
- The President, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, assumes greater and more effective control over the Government and all its agencies.
- He is granted broad latitude and discretion to deal with national affairs aimed at restoring and maintaining national stability.
- Extraordinary powers are vested in the President to suppress lawlessness and subversion using all available resources.
Scope of Presidential Authority
- The President will govern and direct the entire operation of the Government, including all its instrumentalities.
- All powers and prerogatives incident to the Commander-in-Chief role are to be exercised by the President to manage the national emergency.
Purpose and Objectives
- The primary objectives are to restore stability within the shortest possible time, safeguard the integrity and security of the Philippines, and ensure peace and tranquility for all inhabitants.
- Measures taken may include all necessary and expedient actions to contain and resolve the crisis.
Formal Proclamation and Signatories
- The document is formally proclaimed by President Ferdinand E. Marcos on September 22, 1972, in Manila.
- The Executive Secretary, Alejandro Melchor, also signed the proclamation to endorse its implementation.