Call for revolutionary gov't meant to push for Cha-cha —San Beda law dean

As far as the dean of the San Beda Graduate School of Law is concerned, the call of a group of President Rodrigo Duterte's supporters for a revolutionary government is only aimed at pushing for the long-debated issue of Charter change.

"I think they want Charter change principally for term extension, lifting term limits, or postponing the elections. I think that's the main purpose," said Fr. Ranhilio Aquino in a Dobol B sa News TV interview on Sunday.

"What they want talaga is do away with all the barriers na humahadlang sa mga plans nila, kaya revolutionary goverment ang pinag-uusapan nila," he added.

The Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte - National Executive Coordinating Committee (MRRD-NECC), a group of the President's supporters, reportedly called for a meeting as they pushed for a so-called revolutionary government.

Philippine National Police chief Police General Archie Gamboa confirmed getting an invitation to attend the said meeting.

Aquino expressed caution on what he thinks the MRRD-NECC is planning to do, saying that doing away with the confines of the Constitution could only open things up for more problems.

"Itong mga namumuno, nag-uudyok ng ganitong porma ng pagkikilos, they are not sure they will be the ones in charge because the moment you have no Constitution and you have a revolutionary government in place, you are just inviting a stronger group to take over and to oust you also," he said.

If the supporters of the President really want to call for a Charter change, then they could opt for a people's initiative to call for a constitutional convention, Aquino said.

"Sa ilalim ng Saligang Batas, Kongreso lang ang puwedeng tumawag ng isang constitutional convention. Kung ayaw ng Kongreso, the alternative is for people's initiative to call a constitutional convention," he said.

"People's initiative itself cannot revise the Constitution. It can amend the Constitution, pero hindi puwede i-revise ang Constitution ng people's initiative," Aquino added.

During the presidential campaign in 2016, then-Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said he is planning to form a revolutionary government if elected President. 

In 2017, Duterte threatened to declare a revolutionary government in case “destabilization” moves by his critics, particularly the Left, continue and start slipping into chaos. 

In April 2019, the President threatened to declare a revolutionary war, during which he would have his critics arrested, if he was "pushed to the wall."

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