Roque says ‘no factual, legal basis’ to declare revolutionary gov’t

There is no factual nor legal basis to establish a revolutionary government for now, Malacañang said Monday, amid the reported plan of President Rodrigo Duterte’s supporters to rally expressing their support for the idea.

“We appreciate the calls of the President’s supporters for revgov but I think there’s no factual or legal basis as of now,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said at a press briefing in Davao City.

“The President has said that he will consider a revolutionary government if destabilizers will persist in their plan to have him removed from office. Now, I stress, we don’t see any such threat in the near future,” Roque said.

Roque said the President continues to enjoy “tremendous public support,” as he cited Duterte’s 80-percent approval rating, according to a Pulse Asia survey conducted last September.

“We appreciate the support of the President’s supporters, of course. But we assure them the President is on top. He was duly elected and he remains hugely popular,” Roque said, adding that he “predicts” that Dutete’s approval rating will go up in the next surveys.

It was reported that supporters of President Duterte have lined up activities on November 30 at the Crocodile Park in Davao City to voice out their support for a revolutionary government.

Duterte himself has recently floated the idea of a revolutionary government, only to dismiss it days after.

On November 18, Duterte said he will not think twice about declaring a revolutionary government if his critics tried to “topple” his administration. Three days later, however, the President denied the idea of setting up such, saying the country will not benefit from it.

“Ang sabi nilang revolutionary government, coup d’etat, huwag ninyong intindihin ‘yan, malayo ‘yan. Me, I build a nation. If the Armed Forces cooperates with me, if this is something that is good, then fine, we can work together,” he said.

Last October 13, he also said he would declare a revolutionary government if supposed destabilization attempts by his critics, particularly the Left, continue, and the country starts slipping into chaos. — RSJ, GMA News