I support the declaration of a state of lawlessness. But I have my reservations on one that is indefinite.

I am for a national emergency which has an expiry date for the simple reason that it injects a deadline to be met in quelling lawless violence.

By stating when the emergency will end, pressure is exerted on the government to restore normalcy as soon as possible.

In case, however, the objectives are not met, Malacanang can just extend the period of emergency. A renewable declaration is better than one that is open-ended.

If government claims that we are entering a dark period of history, then to buoy the people’s hopes up, the relief being offered must state when the light at the end of tunnel will be seen.

This is another reason why the proclamation must have a sunset provision.