Revolutionary gov't won't solve COVID-19 problem —senators

Shifting to a revolutionary government would not solve the issues brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, several senators said as they opposed the idea pitched by some supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday dismissed the call as a mere distraction that should not be taken seriously.

"This is yet another distraction from the real crisis we are facing today, which is the coronavirus pandemic. The public needs good healthcare and jobs, and that requires GOOD GOVERNANCE, not a so-called 'rev-gov,'" she said in a statement.

Senator Nancy Binay also opposed the proposal as she stressed that the country's focus should be to stem the transmission of COVID-19.

"Hindi nakaka-flatten ng curve ang RevGov #noTOREvGov #yestotheConstitution," she tweeted on Sunday.

Hindi nakaka flatten ng curve ang RevGov ???? #noTOREvGov #yestotheConstitution

— Senator Nancy Binay (@SenatorBinay) August 23, 2020

Senator Sonny Angara used the same hashtags on Twitter.

#noTOREvGov #yestotheConstitution

— Sonny Angara (@sonnyangara) August 23, 2020

The rule of law is the "safest guide to a better Philippines," according to Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

"Let us turn off this 'revolution noise' and we will be okay," he said in a message to reporters over the weekend.

It has been recently reported that Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte-National Executive Coordinating Committee, a group of the President's supporters, called for a meeting to push for a revolutionary government.

It was seen by some as a move to advance Charter change.

Malacañang, meanwhile, said the administration is focused at addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The call "came from a private group and the organizers are free to publicly express their opinion," according to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.—AOL, GMA News