Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 30) — Vice President Leni Robredo is alarmed by talks of a revolutionary government, saying having one undermines the legitimacy of the President and the Constitution.
In a media briefing Thursday, Robredo said she was troubled by administration allies floating the idea. She said they may not truly understand the implications of a revolutionary government.
“Iyong pagdeklara ng revolutionary government, sinasabi na wala na tayong paniniwala sa gobyernong ito, wala na tayong paniniwala sa Konstitusyon na iyon iyong platform kung saan nakatayo iyong present na pamahalaan,” she said at the sidelines of the celebration of the 154th birth anniversary of Gat Andres Bonifacio in Caloocan City,
[Translation: The declaration of a revolutionary government means the people do not have faith in the current government and the Constitution which is the platform of the current government.]
Robredo said she is holding Duterte to his promise of not declaring a revolutionary government.
READ: Duterte to soldiers: Don’t believe talks of revolutionary gov’t
Also on Wednesday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque told members of the media, “With all due respect to the Vice President, I cannot see what is alarming because the President has time and again said, he will only resort to a revolutionary government kapag…lupaypay na yung gobyerno [when the government has failed].”
Roque said while the President appreciates the suggestions from allies about a revolutionary government, “there is no basis and there is no need” for one right now.
President Duterte spoke of a revolutionary government in October, if attempts to destabilize the government worsen.
READ: Duterte warns of revolutionary gov’t if destabilization plots escalate
“Pag ang destabilization ninyo patagilid na at medyo magulo na [If your destabilization starts disrupting things and things get out of hand] I will not hesitate to declare a revolutionary government until the end of my term,” he said in a PTV4 interview that aired on Friday.
Duterte said he would rather declare a revolutionary government than martial law as he would have to report the latter to Congress.
On November 21, he told soldiers not to believe talks of a revolutionary government.
“We serve to protect the people at ang ating bayan… to preserve the Republic. Wag kayong maniwala yang mga coup d’etat, yang revolutionary, coup d’etat. Wala tayong makuha diyan. Let us just build a country,” Duterte said.
CNN Philippines’ Senior Correspondent Ina Andolong contributed to this report.
