Duterte denies hand in calls for RevGov

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Matina Enclaves in Davao City on August 24, 2020. ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte denied he has a hand in the calls for a revolutionary government, saying he did not have any interest to institute such changes.

In a taped public address aired Tuesday morning, Duterte denied giving support to efforts to push for a revolutionary government.

“Marami ngayon, may naglalabas…revolutionary government tapos ako ang sinasabi na…wala akong pakialam niyan, wala akong kilala na mga tao na ‘yan at hindi ko ‘yan trabaho (There are reports about people calling for a revolutionary government…I don’t care for it, I don’t know any of them and it’s not my job),” Duterte said.

On Saturday, the People’s National Coalition for Revolutionary Government and Charter Change assembled at the Clark Freeport in Pampanga to push for the establishment of a revolutionary government and the adoption of a new federal constitution.

The proposal was thumbed down by Malacañang, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, and the Philippine National Police.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday said the President has not abandoned his campaign promise to push for a federal system of government but never considered establishing a revolutionary government as one of his options.

Roque said Duterte is only looking at three options to amend the 1987 Constitution namely Constitutional Convention (Con-Con), Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass), or People’s Initiative.

He also dismissed suspicions the President has plans of extending his term beyond 2022.

According to Roque, the President is too busy addressing the prevailing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic to concern itself with the idea of a revolutionary government.

Roque said the health crisis requires the government’s “full attention”.

“The most pressing and most urgent concern, which requires the Executive’s full attention, is the gradual opening of the economy while safeguarding the people who are working/going back to work amid the pandemic,” he said.

However, Roque also recognized that the pro-Duterte group is free to publicly express their opinion.

He said he does not see a need to criminally charge revolutionary government proponents as there is no “clear and present danger” in their actions.

Lawmakers have slammed calls of Duterte supporters to establish a revolutionary government as the country continues to grapple with increasing Covid-19 cases.