MANILA, Dec. 14, 2009— The high tribunal must provide closure to the short-lived martial law in Maguindanao even if the Arroyo government has lifted the declaration last Saturday.

Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez said the Supreme Court should decide whether Proclamation No. 1959, which imposed military rule in the Southern province, was constitutional or not.

“It really needs closure. The Supreme Court must rule on the constitutionality of the declaration,” he said.

Iñiguez heads the Permanent Committee on Public Affairs of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

According to him, the court should not still render a ruling on the petitions questioning the legality of the controversial proclamation and should not dismiss them for being moot and academic.

Arroyo placed Maguindanao under state of martial law last Dec. 5, following the brutal killings of over 57 people.

Authorities said that a rebellion was brewing after the arrest of key members of the Ampatuan clan accused of the political massacre.

At least seven petitions from various groups were filed before the Supreme Court questioning the legality of martial rule in the troubled region.

Arroyo lifted martial law in Maguindanao last Saturday after the authorities have neutralized armed groups allegedly planning to revolt against the government.

But Malacañang officials said the province still remains under a state of emergency.

The bishop said the Supreme Court ruling is necessary to prevent its repeat, if it was indeed unconstitutional, and provide guidance to the country.

“If its constitutionality would be determined, it can serve as a guide in declaring martial law in the future,” Iñiguez also said. (CBCPNews)