“Where the law is subject to some other authority and has none of its own, the collapse of the state, in my view, is not far off; but if law is the master of the government and the government is its slave, then the situation is full of promise, and men enjoy all the blessings that the gods shower on a state.”
Thus wrote the Greek philosopher Plato in Laws, his last book.
The rule of law should be the foundation for both our liberties and for social order. Many Filipinos before us have fought in great struggles and even died to reestablish the rule of law in our country.
The rule of law means the law is above everyone and it applies to everyone. Whether you are the President of the country or the street sweeper who just wears a T-shirt with the President’s face printed on it. Ruler or ruled, no one is above the law, and no one is exempted from the law.
It is said that the rule of law was developed by Islamic jurists before the 12th century so that no official could claim to be above the Islamic religious law or Sharia, not even the caliph. Perhaps now they weep in their graves for the violence sweeping Marawi, the capital city of the province of Lanao del Sur, a traditional homeland of Muslims.
Rebels belonging to the Maute Group, the homegrown terror organization claiming affiliation with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis), have torn through the streets of Marawi since last week, torching buildings, taking a priest and his Catholic faithful hostage, and sealing off much of the city.
The violence forced thousands to flee, raised fears of growing extremism in the country and forced President Duterte to impose 60 days of martial law on Mindanao, our second-largest island after Luzon and home to 22 million Filipinos.
All government officials in the Philippines pledged first and foremost to uphold the Constitution, affirming that the rule of law is superior to their offices and provides the basis of their mandate. This, indeed, is the most important commitment of the President of the Philippine Republic.
When terrorists attack a town and hoist the emblem of the Isis in dwellings and in the town’s municipal building, there is no rule of law.
When they take church workers, including a priest, as hostages, seize government vehicles, occupy establishments and burn down buildings, including a cathedral, there is no rule of law.
When they mow down civilians and force the exodus of residents, there is no rule of law.
When these terrorists continue to enjoy impunity for their actions, there is no rule of law.
We have to apply the full force and might of our state against these terrorists and bring back the rule of law in Marawi and other affected areas in Mindanao, or else the toll of victims would just pile up. There will be more atrocities like what is happening in Marawi.
Bringing back the rule of law in our country would not be the work of one person alone, but the President certainly has to take the lead. If martial rule needs to be enforced in Mindanao, then so be it.
Those who speak out in condemnation of Duterte’s martial-law imposition must ask themselves what exactly they are opposing and what, instead, they are proposing to prevent further violence in Marawi from taking place.
The President must have the political will to uphold the rule of law. That Duterte has it must be commended. Duterte is not seeking to abolish the Constitution. Instead, he is trying to make sure it is followed.
The test of a constitution does not lie in its contents, but in what is done to assert the rights and laws it proclaims.
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