Chief presidential legal counsel insists declaration of revolutionary government is constitutional
by admin | Posted on Friday, November 3rd, 2017
MANILA, Philippines — “To serve and protect the Filipino people” will be the basis of President Rodrigo Duterte in case he will be forced to declare the revolutionary government.
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Atty. Salvador Panelo said during his interview on Get It Straight with Daniel Razon that the statement of the president is a warning to those who are trying to disrupt the democratic process in the country.
However, the presidential lawyer did not deny that revolutionary government is not written in the Philippine Constitution.
“What the President is saying is, ‘Do not force my hand into it because I know there are conspiracies. But if there are overt acts that will dismantle this democratic process, that’s a different thing’,” said the chief presidential legal counsel.
“Which part of the Constitution indicates the declaration of the revolutionary government?” asked Razon.
“It’s not indicated specifically but the logic there is serving and protecting the people and his oath of office which is defending and preserving the Constitution,” he said.
“So, it means since you are trying to preserve the Constitution, you’re trying to protect the people,” said Razon.
“And you are the constitutionally elected president, you can’t just be removed,” added Panelo.
Under the revolutionary government, it is possible to remove the Congress as well as those who are corrupt in the government.
“If revolutionary government will be declared, nothing will be changed, most likely it will only be but the judicial system remains… those who are afraid of the revolutionary government are the scoundrels, and the corrupt,” said the presidential lawyer.
Panelo concluded that a country’s form of government still depends on what kind of leader that country has.
However, the mandate to perform his duties as the chief executive of the country is still given by the Filipino people.
“In my opinion, whatever form of government, as long as you are implementing it well, it is good for the people,” said Panelo.
“So incorrect dictatorial power. Does that mean this revolutionary government we are thinking of is correct dictatorial? Is that right?” asked Razon.
“Dictator in the sense that the Constitution states we have three branches but the powers are given to the executive and legislative. In a sense, it is dictator. Anyway, if the people will agree, no one disagrees, if ever, there are only a few, but the majority agrees, it’s constitutional because the sovereign voice of the people have spoken,” explained Panelo. — Rosalie Coz | UNTV News and Rescue
by Marje Pelayo | Posted on Monday, June 24th, 2019
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte joins other leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states during the 34th ASEAN Summit plenary session at The Athenee Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand on June 22, 2019. Courtesy : PCOO
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Sunday (June 23) expressed President Rodrigo Duterte’s ‘concern and disappointment’ over delays in the crafting of the much-awaited Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea.
“The Chief Executive explained that the longer the delay for an early conclusion of the COC, the higher the probability of maritime incidents happening and the greater the chance for miscalculations that may spiral out of control,” he said in a statement while emphasizing that the President is “not beholden to or afraid of any foreign country”.
President Duterte raised the issue during the leaders’ meeting at the 34th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit held in Bangkok, Thailand.
The establishment of a COC is seen to tone down and prevent the tensions in the disputed areas in the South China Sea.
The Philippines currently serves as country coordinator of the ASEAN-China dialogue partnership which started from 2018 to 2021.
The partnership includes negotiations for the COC over the disputed territories.
“As country coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, together with fellow ASEAN member-states, the Philippines will continue to push for the full and effective implementation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea,” Panelo said.
The Palace official said the Chief Executive urged the regional bloc “to remain united and steadfast in protecting time-honored principles of international law.”
“Today’s gathering has established the guiding philosophy of the President: Respect for the rule of law, and recognition of the sovereign equality of all nations as well,” Panelo noted.
The Presidential Spokesperson stressed that President Duterte is “confident in articulating in clear and unequivocal terms the position of the Philippines as regards its interests before the global stage.” – with details from Rosalie Coz
by Marje Pelayo | Posted on Friday, June 14th, 2019
The Chinese government is conducting its own investigation on the sea collision that involved Chinese crewmen abandoning Filipino fishermen after the former hit the latter’s fishing boat in the evening of June 9 in Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea.
Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua in a text message to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the issue “is being thoroughly and seriously investigated.”
“We share your concerns about fishermen,” Zhao said.
“If it were true that it was a Chinese fishing boat which did it, they would be duly educated and punished for their irresponsible behavior. Incidents happen even in the best-regulated family,” he added.
The Chinese Ambassador also hopes that the incident will be held in a ‘proper context’.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang, meanwhile, said what happened was just ‘an ordinary maritime accident’.
He acknowledged, however, that abandoning a person in dire need of rescue is unacceptable.
“If the relevant situation turns out to be true, irrespective of which country the perpetrators come from, abandoning (others) should be condemned,” he said.
“China will continue to investigate this incident based on its responsible attitude towards the physical safety and safety of property of the people of both countries and will work with the Philippine side to properly handle,” he concluded.
by Marje Pelayo | Posted on Thursday, June 13th, 2019
MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Thursday (June 13) said President Rodrigo Duterte will not interfere with the House Speakership race prior to the start of the 18th Congress.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President has “never endorsed” anyone for the House Speakership post and that he is leaving it to the ruling party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) Laban, to pick a choice.
“What they should do I think, the PDP Laban, what they should do is to have secret balloting and get the sentiments of the members,” Panelo concluded.
Among the contenders for House Speaker are Davao del Norte Representative Pantaleon Alvarez; Pampanga Representative Aurelio Gonzales; Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco; Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez; and Taguig Representative Alan Peter Cayetano. – with reports from Rosalie Coz
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