Duterte's view on ML differs from Panelo

President Rodrigo Duterte's stance on declaring martial law amid the coronavirus pandemic differs from his chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo's personal view.

Panelo argues that the spread of COVID-19 constitutes an 'invasion' under the Constitution, allowing for a declaration of martial law.

However, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque and Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra disagree, stating that invasion refers to actions by armed forces or foreign entities, not diseases.

Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana notes that while Panelo is technically correct about the 'invasion' aspect, martial law declaration remains a decision for President Duterte.