Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Malacañang does not support calls for a revolutionary government supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte is pushing amid COVID-19 pandemic.
Roque said in a televised interview that the government is focused on its COVID-19 response. He added Duterte wants to finish his term and give up his power by 2022.
“It does not enjoy any support po from government right now. It is a private initiative but the private individuals can express freely their views as part of freedom of speech,” Roque said.
“Sa ngayon po, wala pong magiging silbi ang revolutionary government. Tuluy-tuloy lang po tayo na ginagawa ang ating mga tungkulin,” he added.
(For now, the revolutionary government would serve no purpose. We will just continue fulfilling our responsibilities.)
Roque also said he does not see “clear and present danger” arising from the call for a revolutionary government.
“Kinakailangan meron pong clear and present danger para masupil po ‘yang ganyang pananalita. Wala naman pong clear and present danger dahil ang Presidente mismo ay constitutional government at tutok po siya ngayon sa COVID-19,” Roque said.
(There must be a clear and present danger to suppress such speech. There is no clear and present danger because the President himself is a constitutional government and he is now focused on COVID-19.)
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Palace does not support calls for revolutionary government
Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte – National Executive Coordinating Committee (MRRD-NECC) is proposing a revolutionary government which garnered strong oppositions from lawmakers, saying the move was for Duterte to stay in power.
Roque dismissed the allegation and assured Duterte will not stay in office until 2020. “That’s the farthest from the mind of the President and I can assure you that,” he said.
Duterte first threatened to declare a revolutionary government in case “destabilization” tactics by the Left would continue and cause chaos.
“‘Pag ang destablization ninyo patagilid na at medyo magulo na, I will not hesitate to declare a revolutionary government until the end of my term,” he said.
“I will arrest all of you and we can go to a full-scale war against the Reds,” Duterte added.