Brothers and sisters, the discussion about a revolutionary government or “revgov” dominated the news and social media this past week.
In establishing this kind of government, the Constitution that ordinates one government led by a president freely chosen by the people will be set aside. This will be replaced by a federal form of government, which, according to those pushing for revgov, can only happen if President Duterte leads the revgov after December 2021. If the revgov exists, constitutional succession or the succession of the vice president in case the current president can no longer fulfill his duties, would no longer be followed. If the group that promotes revgov prevails, President Duterte will continue as president in the revolutionary government. And since this government doesn’t recognize the Constitution, Duterte may even remain in position as long as he wants, and he oversees every branch of government.
President Duterte’s supporters introduced this initiative after the news spread about his critical condition. As expected, the palace denied this. President Duterte also distanced himself from the group pushing for revgov. He said he doesn’t know who are in this group, even if he attended a huge meeting of the group a few years ago. Some members of this group were also assigned by President Duterte in different positions in government. And in some instances, President Duterte warned that he is ready to declare revgov in order to arrest his critics.
Although there are some people who say that we shouldn’t take the group’s assertion on revgov seriously, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana made sure to remind the public that this kind of government is illegal and it violates the Constitution. Even the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are against revgov. They will remain true to the Constitution and to the flag that is embodied in every citizen and the state. The assurances from those who defend our independence as one country and those who maintain order in our nation serve as rays of light.
Some say that promoting revgov is one way for the President’s supporters to divert the public’s attention from the lack of action the administration has taken during this Covid-19 pandemic that we are enduring. This would cover the controversies involving PhilHealth’s personnel that President Duterte himself assigned. But a more resounding reason would be to make sure that the administration would not fall at the hands of Vice President Leni Robredo in case something unfortunate happens to President Duterte who was rumored to be severely ill. In other words, these supporters wish to keep their idol in power. Power that should be passed down to one destined by the Constitution to succeed as the highest leader in government the moment the former is no longer able to lead. This is not right.
It is said in the Catholic social teaching Centesimus Annus that the Holy Church recognizes the democratic system of government because it ensures the participation of the people and hold leaders responsible to be replaced by others in a peaceful way. The Church discourages the forming of a reigning group aiming to use the power of the State for their own interests, the interests of a few, or in asserting their ideologies.
Brothers and sisters, the strength of a nation is brought by good governance. As said in the book of Proverbs 29:4, “By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.” If our leaders are focused on what is truly good and just, everyone would flourish. Setting the Constitution aside is only a hint that good governance isn’t occurring, that there isn’t stability in our nation.
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