Respect the Constitution: Palace hits Duterte call for military action

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and former president Rodrigo Duterte. (PCO)

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Malacañang on Tuesday called on former president Rodrigo Duterte to respect the Constitution and desist from being “irresponsible” by insinuating a military action against the Marcos administration.

In a statement, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Duterte’s call to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is inspired by a “selfish motive” to allow her daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, to take over.

“No motive is more selfish than calling for a sitting president to be overthrown so that your daughter can take over,” Bersamin said.

“And he will go to great and evil lengths, such as insulting our professional armed forces by asking them to betray their oath, for his plan to succeed,” he added.

In a late-night online press conference Monday, the former president sought the military and police’s intervention to “protect the Constitution” amid what he described as a “fractured” government.

Duterte, however, stopped short of calling for a coup.

According to Bersamin, Duterte should respect the Constitution, not disobey it.

Bersamin, a former Chief Justice, urged the Duterte camp to follow the proper procedure and wait for the right time to be in power, even as he vowed that the Marcos administration would “not shirk from its sworn duty to govern and manage the affairs of the Filipino Nation according to the Constitution and the Rule of Law.”

“It will defend its legacy before the Filipino People only by lawful means. The state will act resolutely to go against all unlawful attempts and challenges,” Bersamin said.

“Hindi katanggap-tanggap ang marahas na pang-aagaw ng kapangyarihan upang madaling maluklok bilang pangulo sa pamamagitan ng pagpaslang, panggugulo at pag-aalsa. Maghintay kayo sa tamang panahon, sumunod sa tamang pamamaraan (Violent usurpation of power in order to be easily installed as president through assassinations, riots, and uprisings is unacceptable. Wait for the right time, follow the right procedure),” he added.

Duterte’s tirades came following the government’s move to conduct an all-out investigation against his daughter, who earlier said she has contracted someone to asssassinate President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. if the supposed plot to kill her were to succeed.