Lacson says revolutionary gov’t threat just one of Duterte’s ‘impulsive’ remarks

President Rodrigo Duterte’s threat to declare a revolutionary government is just one of his “impulsive” statements, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Monday.

“By now, we should already be accustomed to PRRD’s impulsive statements. I don’t believe he will declare a revolutionary government – not now, not anytime during his term,” Lacson said. 

“He knows he won’t and can’t do it. Having said that, there’s no point reacting negatively or otherwise to such and other similar pronouncements,” he added.

Last week, Duterte said he will declare a revolutionary government amid supposed attempts by his critics to destabilize his administration.

"'Pag ang destablization ninyo patagilid na at medyo magulo na, I will not hesitate to declare a revolutionary government until the end of my term," Duterte said in a report on state-run PTV News on Friday.

Several opposition lawmakers slammed Duterte’s threat, saying it would be tantamount to a nationwide martial law in disguise.

One of the President's staunchest critics, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, meanwhile, said Duterte’s statement was meant to "divert the attention" of the public and "escape accountability for his crimes.”

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, for his part, said Duterte is just thinking of ways to “protect” the country.

“The President has information not available to us. He probably feels the country’s stability could be in jeopardy that’s why he is thinking of ways to protect it, just in case,” he said. 

“It’s merely an idea at this point and I have no reason to be wary about it,” Sotto added. —Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/KBK, GMA News