Filtered By: Topstories
News

Robredo: Revolutionary government 'illegal, good as resignation'


President Rodrigo Duterte will be violating the Constitution and abandon his post as Chief Executive in the event that he will declare a revolutionary government, Vice President Leni Robredo said Friday.

Robredo was referring to Duterte’s comments on Thursday night that he will allow warrantless arrests via suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, declare a revolutionary government, and have his critics arrested if he is pushed to a wall — all as a result of Senator Franklin Drilon's statement that the administration should be careful in reviewing government contracts with foreign countries or risk being sued.

“Iyong pagdedeklara ng revolutionary government, hindi siya naaayon sa Konstitusyon. Kaming dalawa, pareho kaming nanumpa na ipagtatanggol namin ang Konstitusyon ng Republika ng Pilipinas. Kapag nagdeklara siya ng revolutionary government, ang gusto ba nitong sabihin, inaabandona niya iyong kaniyang pinanumpaan?” Robredo told reporters in Bohol following the launch of the Ahon Laylayan Koalisyon.

Robredo, a lawyer like Duterte, said the President’s comments were irresponsible.

“Holding public office calls for officials to be prudent with their pronouncements, and not to resort to tantrums in the face of criticisms. Kailangan alalahanin hindi lang ng Pangulo, hindi lang ako, pero iyong lahat na naglilingkod sa bayan, na marami talagang pagsubok iyong pinasok namin na trabaho. Maraming kahirapan, maraming mga frustrations, pero iyong pagsagot sa mga pagsubok at kahirapan, dapat within constitutional means,” Robredo said.

“Hindi puwedeng tatakutin iyong taumbayan sa isang paraan na hindi constitutional. Hindi ito responsable na response dahil kami, pagpasok namin sa ganitong trabaho, pagsumpa namin na aayusin namin iyong aming mandato, kabahagi na nito iyong kahirapan [kaya] dapat handa kaming harapin iyong lahat na kahirapan,” Robredo added.

In an earlier statement, Robredo's legal counsel and opposition Senate bet Romulo Macalintal also said that declaring a revolutionary government would be tantamount to Duterte abandoning his post, paving the way for Robredo to become President.

The 1987 Constitution does not state a provision allowing the sitting President to declare a revolutionary government.

The Charter only allows the sitting President to suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or place the country or any part thereof under martial law in case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it for a period not exceeding 60 days. The Charter further states that "within 48 hours from the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, the President should submit a report in person or in writing to the Congress."

The Congress then, voting jointly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its members in regular or special session, may revoke such proclamation or suspension, which revocation cannot be set aside by the President.

Upon the initiative of the President, Congress may extend such proclamation or suspension for a period to be determined by the Congress in the same manner. —JST, GMA News

LOADING CONTENT