The Duterte administration should focus on the rehabilitation of Marawi City once the war stops instead of declaring a revolutionary government, opposition senators said on Tuesday.
Senator Francis Pangilinan said that rehabilitation of the conflict-torn city should be the top priority when the normalcy is back in the city instead of dwelling on “baseless” destabilization reports.
“The government’s resources are wasted over fake-news-based destabilization. It would be better if time is spent on something that will help the country, not cause more disruption. More income and jobs for the people, not more power to the presidency,” Pangilinan said.
President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to declare a revolutionary government if destabilization plots by his detractors continue.
“Pag ang destabilization ninyo patagilid na at medyo magulo na [If your destabilization (plots) continue and if it already causes mess], I will not hesitate to declare a revolutionary government until the end of my term,” the president said.
Sen. Bam Aquino commended the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the deaths of Abu Sayyaf Leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute, saying “the country is now a safer place for all Filipinos.”
“With this victory, we hope that the firefighting will soon end so the government can immediately lift Martial Law and finally focus on rebuilding and developing Marawi City,” Aquino said.
Aquino, a member of the Special Committee on Marawi City Rehabilitation, has thrown support behind efforts to rehabilitate Marawi City and to bring “normalcy and prosperity” into the lives of Maranao families.
The Liberal Party also vowed its support for the government to bring Marawi City back on its feet.
“We will fully support all efforts by the government to bring normalcy back to Marawi City and restore the city from the ravages of the fighting to its full glory,” Aquino added.
Earlier, opposition senators questioned Duterte’s statement that a revolutionary government might be declared to curb destabilization efforts against the administration.
Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio lambasted his father’s critics for allegedly planning to oust the president, saying “threat of destabilization is as real as terrorism.”