President Duterte reiterated his hope to never declare a revolutionary government (RevGov) in the Philippines as those calling for it held demonstrations across the country yesterday, during the commemoration of the 154th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio.

Various groups expressed on social media their desire to hold demonstrations asking President Duterte to declare a revolutionary government to address the problems in the country, particularly the threat of terrorism, criminality, corruption in government, and illegal drugs.

Duterte, in an interview posted on the Facebook page of Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux Uson, told RevGov rallyists that there is really no need for a revolutionary government.

“There’s no need really to declare a revolutionary government. I hope there will never be a time that I will be compelled to call for it,” said Duterte, addressing his supporters.

“Only when the Republic of the Philippines is dying, siguro (maybe). But other than that, wala (there’s really no reason),” he added.

According to Duterte, he will not stop the people who joined the different demonstrations as he thinks that these people only believe that a revolutionary government will help solve the problems of the country much faster.

Malacañang said the public should not be alarmed by these calls as no less than the President already dismissed in numerous times the idea of declaring a revolutionary government.

Addressing the concerns raised by Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the President will only resort to declaring such type of government if the Philippines is beyond saving.

“With all due respect to the Vice President, I do not see what is alarming because the President has time and again said that he will only resort to revolutionary government kapag (if) supposed, kapag lupaypay na ‘yung gobyerno, ‘pag naghihingalo na ‘yung gobyerno (if the government is weak and dying),” he told Palace reporters in a phone interview.

“And of course, hindi naman ganyan ang nangyayari sa gobyerno ngayon (That is not what is happening in the government right now). He is the constitutional president. He won with an overwhelming lead over his rivals, and he enjoys unprecedented popularity,” he added.

RevGov rally

Clad in red and shouting chants of support for Duterte, various groups converged at Mendiola in Manila to express their support for the declaration of a revolutionary form of government on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the Father of the Philippine Revolution, Andres Bonifacio.

The event’s organizer, Alyansa General Parents Teachers Association – Indigenous People (AGPTA-IP) Secretary General Unice Sunio said that they are supporting a revolutionary government, which he claims would eventually transition to a federal system of government.

Sunio explained that revolutionary government will bring about the change that President Duterte promised.

“Ito ang makapagbabago sa buong Pilipinas, kasi maiiwasan ang korapsyon (This is what will transform the entire country because corruption will be avoided),” she said.

Sunio said their group did not invite politicians in the event because they wanted it to be purely staged by the masses.

“Bawal ang pulitiko rito. Lahat ito ay kami ang gumastos (Politicians are prohibited from joining this rally. We spent for this),” she said, estimating the crowd at 2,000.

No to RevGov

A labor group on Thursday welcomed the assurance of Duterte not to declare a revolutionary government.

In a statement, Federation of Free Workers (FFW) president Sonny Matula said the RevGov would have been “disastrous” for the country since it would undermine the Constitution.

“He (Duterte) will be losing his electoral mandate as he will be disregarding the fundamental law. Without the constitution, there will be chaos and anarchy on the streets as there will be no rule of law,” Matula said.

The youth group SPARK also opposed the alleged public outcry for a RevGov.

“We oppose Duterte’s ‘revolutionary government’ which is nothing but a political banner, an illusory promise covering deep-seated inequalities and class conflicts,” said SPARK Spokesperson Joanne Lim.

“This November 30 we celebrate the day of a true Filipino revolutionary: Andres Bonifacio,” Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (SPARK). “His dream was for the Filipino people to be free from the exploitation of Spanish colonizers…it succeeded…we are already liberated from their hands,” the group added. (With reports from Jaimie Rose R. Aberia, Samuel P. Medenilla, and Merlina Hernando-Malipot)

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos

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