Preamble
WHEREAS, on various occasions the people have invariably expressed opposition to the convening of the interim National Assembly; WHEREAS, such opposition of the people to the convening of the interim National Assembly has resulted in a constitutional stalemate which has suspended the political evolution of the nation as sought by the President, especially with respect to his wish to have a legislative assembly with certain powers; WHEREAS, the barangays and sanggunian assemblies through their duly authorized instrumentalities have recommended that the feasibility of abolishing and replacing the interim National Assembly be studied and in connection therewith to ascertain the wishes of the people as to the means that may be availed of to attain the objective; WHEREAS, furthermore, the barangays have manifested their wish to submit anew for the people's resolution the question of continuing martial law, obviously in the light of recent developments affecting the security of the state; NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby decree: