DILG chief steers clear of revolutionary gov’t talk

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) clarified that it is not spearheading a campaign to shift to federalism through a revolutionary government.

DILG officer-in-charge (OIC) Eduardo M. Año issued the statement in reaction to the claim of DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing that the agency has been leading calls for establishing a revolutionary government as the country transitions into a federal system.

Once such a government is set

up, a “People’s Council” will be created that will keep President Duterte in power until the new system is in place, Densing said.

But Ado made it clear that the call for a revolutionary government “is the personal opinion of Usec. Densing and not of the DILG. He was speaking as honorary chairman of the Mula sa Masa Duterte Movement (MMDM) and not for the DILG.”

He said the official position of the department is to shift to federalism using the draft Federal Constitution written by the Consultative Committee (Concom) appointed by Duterte.

The committee, headed by retired Chief Justice Reynato Puno, has submitted its recommendations to the President.

“We are advocating for federalism through constitutional means. The 1987 Constitution has clear provisions on how a change in the system of government can be effected. We abide by these provisions and will see to it that any change in the system of government goes through constitutional processes,” Año said.

The DILG has been going around the country informing the people about the merits of the federal system.

The last Federalism Roadshow held in Caraga Region last week was attended by 3,000 participants. Previous roadshows were held in the cities of Dumaguete, Baguio, Cebu, Legazpi, Davao, and Tacloban.

Año clarified that only duly-accredited civil society organizations can use the DILG’s name in advocating federalism.

PNP yields to PRRD The Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde, meanwhile, said it was up to the President to clear up speculations about the establishment of a revolutionary government.

“Depende ‘yan no (It depends), it’s not ours to decide dahil hindi level ng PNP ‘yan (because it is not on the PNP’s level). I think that will be on the level of the Commander-in-Chief,” Albayalde said.

The PNP, however, is ready to provide helpful inputs to the President on the matter, although there already are appropriate government agencies that are capable of doing so, he said.

“I’m sure he has his security advisers kung talagang mag-decide siya na magkaroon ng (if ever he really decide to have a) revolutionary government,” he said.

Arriving in Davao City Saturday from a trip to Israel and Jordan, Duterte warned that there are three forces that are plotting to oust him following the chaos brought by the revocation of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV’s amnesty: Trillanes himself, the “Yellows” or the “Liberals” – apparently referring to the Liberal Party, and the politburo or political bureau – the executive committee for communist parties.

Trillanes has claimed that Duterte was planning to declare a revolutionary government to advance his interest following the revocation of his amnesty. He, however, warned the President that such move won’t gain support from the military or the police.

Palace officials were quick to assure that Duterte has no plans of forming a revolutionary government.