‘Revolutionary gov’t a last resort’
For a revolutionary government to take place there must first be a revolution.
President Duterte made this clarification last Saturday in Davao City, saying, “Until there is a revolution ‘yung ma-ano, malabo (it is unlikely).” He would only declare a revolutionary government if “things go out of control” and there is danger of a violent overthrow, he said.
Duterte accused the media of “chopping” his statements and leaving out the condition that would warrant such declaration.
“You are always shortchanged of quotations. I said before and I repeat now, and I know it would not be taken into account again. I said, if things go out of control at tumagilid ‘yung gobyerno, ‘yun ang predicate ko (and the government is placed at risk, that is my predicate). It was not an outright statement,” he added.
Earlier, Duterte said he would set up a revolutionary government and declare all state posts vacant if the country plunges into chaos because of alleged destabilization plots against him.
“If I declare a revolutionary government, arestado kayong lahat. Hindi ako nananakot (All of you will be arrested. I am not scaring you),” Duterte told state-run television network PTV 4 last Oct. 13.
“If I think you are about to take over the government, you destabilize the government, bantay kayo (watch out),” he added.
“If I see that my nation tilts into chaos and is really destabilized, I will declare a revolutionary government.”
The remark drew flak from the opposition who accused the President of being paranoid and of trying to “annihilate democracy.”
Duterte claimed that only parts of his statement that were “good for public criticism” came out in news reports.
“Ayaw ko ng (I do not like) martial law. Maraming (too many) restrictions. Todohin ko na lang (I might as well go full force)… Do not do something that will cause or even attempt to topple government, hindi ako papayag ng ganoon (I won’t allow that to happen).”
Meanwhile, the Makati Business Club is against having a revolutionary government, citing its negative impact on the economic gains made by the country.
In a statement yesterday, the MBC said it welcomes the statements made by President Duterte, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Armed Forces chief General Leonardo Guerrero that there are no plans to declare a shift to revolutionary government.
The business group said it “stands strongly with the country’s civilian and military leaders in putting our trust in our democratic institutions and rejecting revolutionary government. We thank the President for clarifying previous statements on this issue.”
“MBC believes that a shift to a revolutionary government will challenge our Constitution and trigger political instability and economic uncertainty,” the business group said.