President Rodrigo Duterte denied any involvement in his supporters’ recent call for a revolutionary government, adding he does not care.
“Marami ngayon, may naglalabas na revolutionary government tapos ako ang sinasabi na… Wala akong pakialam diyan, wala akong kilala na mga tao na ‘yan at hindi ko ‘yan trabaho,” Duterte said in a taped address aired Tuesday.
(Many are calling for revolutionary government, and they are saying I am [involved]. I don’t care about that, I don’t know these people, and that is not my job.)
Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte – National Executive Coordinating Committee (MRRD-NECC) is proposing a revolutionary government that garnered strong opposition from lawmakers, saying the move was for Duterte to stay in power.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said Malacañang does not support calls for 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.
Roque also said he does not see “clear and present danger” arising from the call for a revolutionary government.
Duterte administration does not support call for 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.)
Roque dismissed the allegation and assured Duterte will not stay in office until 2022. “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.