Locsin: Call for Duterte-led revolutionary gov't is insanity

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Wednesday described as "insanity" the call of a group of President Rodrigo Duterte's supporters for the establishment of a revolutionary government still led by Duterte.

Interviewed on ANC, Locsin also slammed the statement of Interior Undersecretary Epimaco Densing that calling for a revolutionary government is a right to call for revolt.

"That was a lunatic statement," Locsin said of Densing's statement. "There is no such thing as right to revolt. It is not a matter of law. That is a matter of politics, establishing a revolutionary government."

"It is [either] an abrogation of rights or a substitution of facts if you can pull it off successfully," added Locsin, a former lawmaker.

A group called Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte - National Executive Coordinating Committee (MRRD-NECC) is calling for creation of a revolutionary government led by Duterte so the President can immediately affect change in the country and establish a federal form of government.

Locsin said such call is "unique in its insanity."

"It is a seditious movement seeking to keep the government. Why would you do that? Why not just form a cheering squad, stand outside the Palace and clap?" he said.

Locsin said supporters of Duterte should just wait for 2022 and back whoever the President's candidate will be for his successor. "If you like the government, wait for the President to pick his successor and support that," he said.

Locsin, however, said that revolutionary government advocates will be liable for sedition if they seek to sabotage the 2022 polls.

"If the movement goes to the extent of trying to circumvent the coming elections, then that is sedition and should be met with the full force of the law," he said.

Duterte has already distanced himself from the group.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, for his part, said that the Palace has nothing to do with the group and such calls do not enjoy the administration's support even though Duterte had graced a gathering of the group in 2018. —KBK, GMA News