The Philippine National Police (PNP) is prepared to adhere to the rule of law should a revolutionary government be declared in the country.

According to PNP Pcol. Bernard Banac, it is the mandate of the national police to maintain peace and order in the country.

“Sineseryoso ng PNP ang lahat ng banta sa seguridad, at peace and order, base sa aming mandato (Based on our mandate, the PNP is taking all threats seriously, and [maintaining] peace and order). The PNP shall always stand behind the flag and uphold the Constitution. We adhere to the rule of law and obey legal orders of the duly constituted authorities,” he said.

Meanwhile, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the President’s threat about forming a revolutionary government is due to his frustration on what is happening in the country.

“What I know though, is that he is getting exasperated by and frustrated with endless roadblocks to his attempts to protect the people’s interests,” he said in a text message.

He added that the President knows the limitations of his authority.

“As a lawyer the president knows the scope and limitations of his constitutional powers and he will act in accordance therewith,” he said.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo also said that the President’s statement on forming a revolutionary government is out of frustration in all of the country’s problems including illegal drugs, corruption, and rebellion of communist groups.

Malacañang also clarified that the President’s warning in declaring a revolutionary government is not against the public but against the government’s enemies.

“It was more of an exasperated expression and I to put on notice against the transgressors that he will not just sit idly, and watch them do their illegal things,” Panelo said.

Meanwhile, the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) President Edre Olalia said the President’s warning has no legal basis and does not follow logic.

“First of all, there is absolutely no legal, constitutional, & factual basis to suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus. Secondly, his reaction to the cautionary criticism of the opposition is non-sequitur,” he said.—Aileen Cerrudo (with reports from Lea Ylagan)

DILG Undersecretary Martin Diño

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Various groups of supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte submitted to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) a signed petition seeking for the creation of a revolutionary government.

Over 33 million signatures from 42,000 barangays across the Philippines were attached to the petition. It calls on the government to expedite the approval of proposed amendments to the Constitution.

“Kung baguhin ang takbo Pilipinas siguro isa itong tulong na para maisolba ang lahat ng problema ng ating bayan,” said Princess Maricar Matalam, officer of the group Pagbabago at Karapatan ng Womens Power Mindanao.

(Changing the way how the Philippines is run may help resolve all the problems that it is currently facing.)

DILG Undersecretary Martin Diño said the signature campaign showed strong support for Congress as it pushes for a proposed shift to federalism.

“Puwede na nating maipadala ito sa Congress para iyong ating mga congressman at senador makita nila na talagang gusto ng mga tao lalong lalo na sa buong Pilipinas na federalism na pagbabago ng sistema ng ating gobyerno, napaka importante nito,” Diño concluded.

(We may now send this to Congress so that the congressmen and senators will see the people’s desire to shift to a federal form of government.)  – UNTV News & Rescue

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque said there is nothing to worry about a declaration of a revolutionary form of government because it is President Rodrigo Duterte himself who has been dismissing the issue.

“There is no revolutionary government. Let us now end the talks about revolutionary government. Let’s now move on. To the opposition, look for other issues,” said Sec. Roque.

This was in response to the Vice President Leni  Robredo’s sentiments regarding reports that some government officials are involved in organizing protests to call for the president to declare a revolutionary government.

The vice president said persons involved in such movement can be held legally liable.

“Nakakabahala  ito, kasi… kapag sinabi kasing revolutionary government, gusto mong isantabi iyong Konstitusyon. Ito, ano ito, laban ito sa mga existing na batas, kaya nakakabahala na. Iyong tanong nito, iyong mga sasali ba dito may be held legally—‘di ba?—may be held liable? Kasi iyong pag-alsa laban sa Konstitusyon, pag-alsa iyon laban sa pamahalaan,”said the vice president.

(This is alarming because when you say revolutionary government, you want to set aside the Constitution. This is against the existing laws, so it is really alarming. Those who participate may be held legally—may be held liable, right? Because it can be regarded as rebelling against the constitution and the government.)

She also argued that it seemed ironic to see public officials moving against the government they represent.

Nevertheless, Robredo trusts President Duterte’s word that he will not declare a revolutionary government because he doesn’t want it in the first place.

Duterte, however, said it is only possible if the welfare of the state and the people are in jeopardy.

“We need a radical change. I have to…we need a radical change in government. We need not go into a revolutionary government. I do not want it. Only when everything is turning upside down, maybe,” said Duterte.

Thus,  Roque said that the controversies surrounding the issue should not be entertained. — Rosalie Coz | UNTV News and Rescue