Duterte displaying strong political will – Abella

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said yesterday that Duterte’s display of a strong political will does not mean that the chief executive is becoming a dictator.

The reaction was made to the statement of the February 25 Coalition saying that the Duterte administration is showing signs of a dictatorship like the time of former President Ferdinand Marcos.

“The scenarios listed by the February 25 Coalition, such as the President’s references against some members of the clergy, and lowering the age of criminal liability, among others, are not signs of a looming dictatorship, but a firm response to the prevailing issues of the day,” Abella said in a text message.

The Coalition, a group of Martial Law victims, on Wednesday morning called on the public to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution to make them aware of the signs of a looming dictatorship.

The group also pointed as indication of a dictatorship the violation of human rights and the death of over 7,000 people during the seven-month period of the Philippine National Police’s Oplan Tokhang.

The public should be on alert on the alleged appointment of former Senator Bongbong Marcos as the new Department of the Interior and Local Government secretary, the Coalition also warned.

Malacañang earlier announced the appointment of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea as new chairperson of the EDSA People Power Commission. However, the appointment of Medialdea’s co-chair has not yet been announced.

The theme for this year’s celebration on February 25 is, “A Day of Reflection: Celebrating People Power.”

The EDSA People Power Commission is the agency tasked to plan, organize, and implement the annual commemoration of the 1986 EDSA People Power revolution which ousted the late President Marcos.

The agency is also responsible for initiating activities to expand awareness on the values and principles that spurred the People Power Revolution.