Duterte ‘not keen’ on RevGov for now

MALACAÑANG on Thursday, November 30, assured Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo that President Rodrigo Duterte will not set up a revolutionary government.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque gave the assurance after Robredo expressed alarm over the possible implications, if Duterte heeds his supporters’ call to install a revolutionary state.

Amid protests calling for and opposing the establishment of revolutionary government held on Bonifacio Day, Roque maintained that the Chief Executive was not inclined to make reforms in the current unitary form of government.

Roque told Robredo not to worry because there was no reason for Duterte to declare a revolutionary government “for now.”

He said that while Duterte “appreciates” the proposal for a revolutionary state, he would not consider the suggestion since he still enjoys “unprecedented popularity.”

“With all due respect to the Vice President, I do not see what is alarming because the President has time and again said that he will only resort to revolutionary government, if the government faces challenges that would hamper its performance,” Roque said in a phone patch interview.

“So the President, time and again, dismissed the idea of a revolutionary government. While it is true that there are some of the President’s ally who wants a revolutionary government, he appreciates the suggestion, but he has repeatedly said there is no basis and there is no need for a revolutionary government for now,” he added.

It was Duterte who floated the idea of setting up a revolutionary government, if it becomes “chaotic” under his leadership.

Duterte, however, has since flipflopped on the issue when his political rivals rejected his plan.

On Wednesday, November 29, the President said he hoped he would not be “compelled” to declare a revolutionary government.

“I hope there will never be a time I will be compelled to call for it. I am a lawyer and we follow the Constitution,” he said in an interview with Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux Uson.

On the sidelines of wreath-laying rites for the 154th birth anniversary of revolutionary hero Andres Bonifacio, Robredo said the 1987 Constitution would be deemed irrelevant, if a revolutionary government is established.

She added that it was “ironic” that some of those who are pushing for a revolutionary state belong to the government.

“Many do not understand the implication of declaration of revolutionary government. Declaring a revolutionary government means you don’t believe in the government, you don’t believe the Constitution,” the Vice President said in an interview in Caloocan City.

“President Duterte and I were both elected using the 1987 Constitution. That’s why it is alarming that some government officials are pushing for it (revolutionary government),” she added.

Robredo, nevertheless, said that she remained hopeful that Duterte would live up to his earlier pronouncement that he would not seek a revolutionary government.

Roque, on the other hand, said the executive department respects the government officials who are supportive of the revolutionary government, stressing that is their “personal belief” that such form of state will be beneficial to the country.

But he called on to the public to stop bringing up the issue since the President already pledged not to announce a revolutionary government.

“There will be no revolutionary government. Let’s stop talking about the revolutionary government. Let’s move on,” he said.

Meanwhile, some one thousand supporters of the President from different civic groups in the region gathered at the Capitol grounds yesterday.

Jigs Padua of the United of State of Duterte’s Alliances of Mindanao-Region 10 said the gathering was conceptualized by the parallel groups who have been loyal supporters of Duterte and to his administration’s platforms.

Padua said the nationwide, simultaneous rallies have ‘no backing’ of any politician as the gatherings were ‘voluntary’ and through ‘people’s initiative’.

Before gathering at the Capitol grounds for the usual speeches on federalism and revolutionary government or RevGov, the participants held a motorcade around the city’s major streets.

Padua said the group sees the revolutionary government as the only way for Duterte to fulfill his promises in putting an end to the illegal drug menace and corruption in government.

“Nagkauyon kani nga grupo nga hangyoon atong presidente nga outright dayon i-declare niya revolutionary government kay aron ma-fast track sa president ang pag-eradicate sa corruption ug droga (These groups have agreed to hold this activity to call on the president to declare revolutionary government so he can fast track his plans to eradicate drug menace and corruption), ”Padua said.

Padua said the Filipino people should ‘not worry’ as Duterte’s revolutionary government would not be be ‘bloody and violent.’

He said it will not be lawless but will instead be governed by law.

Padua said the group has informed the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) of the activity and said the rally pushed through without the party’s approval.

“Gi-inform ang party ug whether moapprove sila or dili, padayon ang activity (The PDP-Laban was informed and whether they approve it or not, the activity should continue as planned),” Padua said.

Emily Santos, chair of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption-East district of Misamis Oriental, said the group was forced to join the activity because of the need for a total change.

Santos said she hopes ‘the people’s voice’ would influence the President to create a revolutionary government.