MANILA, Philippines — Setting up a revolutionary government is unconstitutional and the group calling for it “should be investigated,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said yesterday.
“Of course, it is illegal and unconstitutional. As I said we have a popularly elected President that still enjoys about 80 percent approval rating,” he stressed when asked if he thought such call was illegal, unconstitutional and tantamount to inciting to sedition.
The military, in a statement, has also assured the public that it would not back any attempt to declare a revolutionary government.
“We will not support any efforts to establish a revolutionary government,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman and Education, Training, and Doctrine Command chief Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, said.
“It’s very clear to every soldier, airman, sailor and marine that our unequivocal fidelity and unwavering loyalty is to the Constitution and to the flag that represents our people and the state,” he declared.
Arevalo said AFP chief of staff, Gen. Gilbert Gapay, himself had assured the public that the AFP, “as the armed force constitutionally mandated to protect the people and secure the state, will uphold such sacred obligation and rejects the establishment of a revolutionary government.”
Malacañang has distanced itself from the call and emphasized that the national government’s priority is to address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque even said the call of the group – People’s National Coalition for Revolutionary Government and Charter Change – falls within the right to free expression. Duterte supporters comprise the group.
“It’s still protected speech because there is no clear and present danger arising from their expressions,” Roque said at a press briefing yesterday when asked whether cases should be filed against the group.
“The President is the head of a constitutional government and we do not need a revolutionary government now. Nevertheless, those who are pushing for it have the right to free expression. What is clear is it’s a private initiative and it’s not part of the priorities of the President right now,” he added.
Roque also allayed fears that Duterte may remain in power beyond his term, saying it is “farthest from the mind of the President.” He, however, clarified that the President is not yet giving up on his bid for federalism, one of his campaign promises.
“There are modes for charter change for a federal form of government, constitutional convention, constitutional assembly, and people’s initiative. Any of the three will do,” Roque said.
In an interview with The STAR, lawyer Francisco Buan, spokesman for the Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte National Executive Coordinating Committee (MMRI-NECC) noted that sedition –based on the Criminal Code – is committed only by persons “who rise publicly and tumultuously In order to attain something by force or intimidation or by other such means.”
“We are not involved in any uprising but in a peaceful non-violence and arm-less mission, and we are not rising publicly in a tumultuous manner. Neither are we doing anything by force nor intimidation,” he said.
Distraction
Jonathan Malaya, spokesman for the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), said calls for a revolutionary government could be a distraction to officials struggling to address the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.
“At this time, we’re not open (to such proposals) because we are focused on COVID-19. We do understand why they want to amend the Constitution, but given that we are battling a great crisis right now, this could be a distraction from what we are doing,” Malaya said in an interview aired over CNN Philippines.
Malaya, administrator of the DILG Federalism and Constitutional Reform program, said the department needs to study the proposal of the group, adding that the courts would be the ones to decide if calling for a revolutionary government is indeed illegal as held by some quarters.
“Our problem with this proposal is that it’s not in the Constitution. If you look at the Constitution, the Constitution only speaks of constitutional convention, a constituent assembly or people’s initiative as a means of amending it,” he said.
Some Roman Catholic bishops also denounced the move to form a revolutionary government, with Archdiocese of Manila (RCAM) apostolic administrator Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo calling it “seditious” and those supporting it “traitors” to the country.
“They wanted a revolutionary government so they would be able to stay in power, which should not be because there should be a ‘check and balance’ as stated in the Constitution. They should not dictate the succession of powers,” Pabillo said over Church-run Radio Veritas.
Retired Novaliches Bishop Teodoro Bacani called instigators of the move “mga sira ulo (crazy).”
Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos said the country should focus on addressing the COVID-19 contagion.
“Focus the attention and energy to solve this pandemic and alleviate the suffering conditions of our people. This self serving plan of revolutionary government will just create chaos and mistrust to our people,” he said.
“Not only is this sedition but open admittance that the present government is total failure. They want to change the government just to install the same government officials. There is no sense, void of human reason. It is just like the maxim same dog different collar,” he said.
For Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, the move could only further divide the country. “This revolutionary government could divide us and as I see it, if this concept will take effect, it could dissolve the Senate, Congress, even the judiciary,” he said.
“The check and balance will be lost. We will have a deep disagreement in our society that we do not need today. What we need now is to unite against COVID,” he added.
Categorical denial
In a statement, lawyer Romulo Macalintal said President Duterte should categorically state that he does not support the call for a revolutionary government if he wants to keep the trust of local and foreign investors.
“The call for a revolutionary government cannot be merely described as an expression of one’s opinion but should be taken seriously by the President who is expected to insure our government and people’s safety and stability,” he said.
“Malacañang cannot just ignore this call for a revolutionary government by alleged supporters of the President. It is the President’s obligation and responsibility to insure our people that he will preserve and defend our Constitution and that he will never allow any rebel group to overthrow his administration,” he said.
“Thus, it appears too frivolous, if not outright ridiculous, if Duterte would allow any group to overthrow his administration and form a revolutionary government. Equally ridiculous is the proposition to declare a revolutionary government just because Duterte does not allegedly have the time to fulfill all his promises in the 2016 elections,” he said.
Army chief of staff Maj. Gen. Rowen Tolentino and Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., in separate interviews from senators during their respective confirmation hearings before the Commission on Appointments (CA), stressed that moves to establish a revolutionary government are unconstitutional. – Alexis Romero, Neil Jayson Servallos, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Paolo Romero, Helen Flores, Evelyn Macairan, Ding Cervantes
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