ON June 18, 1898, Emilio Aguinaldo issued a decree officially instituting a revolutionary government to fight for the independence of the Philippines. A national revolution took place whose goal was independence from 350 years of colonial control through armed revolt. The enemy—Spain.
Under former President Corazon C. Aquino, a revolutionary government was established to restore the democracy our country lost during martial law. The enemy—former President Ferdinand E. Marcos.
If President Duterte were to declare a revolutionary government, who would he be ousting? A foreign colonizer, a ruling dictator? No—he would be ousting himself. As this is obviously an absurd scenario, Duterte himself has backed out of his threats to declare a revolutionary government. The alleged destabilizers, coup plotters, allies of the opposition Liberal Party and other groups whose aim is to destabilize the government or oust the sitting President—are now being lumped together as “terrorists” and can, and will be, dealt with accordingly, with the full force of the law—the President said.
Despite this, supporters of the President continue to urge him to pursue a revolutionary government and news from the provinces confirm reports that there are moves to recruit core groups to push a revolutionary form of government.
The challenges today remain the same as when people power installed Corazon Aquino as president.
“Whereas, the direct mandate of the people as manifested by their extraordinary action demands the complete reorganization of the government, restoration of democracy, protection of basic rights, rebuilding of confidence in the entire government system, eradication of graft and corruption, restoration of peace and order, maintenance of the supremacy of civilian authority over the military and the transition to government under a New Constitution in the shortest time possible.” (Proclamation 3, S. 1986)
Most critics say that former President Cory Aquino reigned but did not rule. Old oligarchs were replaced by new oligarchs, old vested interests by new vested interests. The mandate given to then President Cory to install immediate and effective reforms was vast and sweeping. Articles II and III of Proclamations 3, S. 1986, referred to as the “Freedom Constitution” provided as follows:
“Article II The President The Vice President and the Cabinet
Section 1. Until a legislature is elected and convened under a New Constitution, the President shall continue to exercise legislative power.
The President shall give priority to measures to achieve the mandate of the people to:
- a) Completely reorganize the government and eradicate unjust and oppressive structure, and all iniquitous vestiges of the previous regime;
- b) Make effective, the guarantees of civil, political, human, social, economic and cultural rights and freedoms of the Filipino people and provide remedies against violations thereof;
- c) Rehabilitate the economy and promote the nationalist aspirations of the people;
- d) Recover ill-gotten properties amassed by the leaders and supporters of the previous regime and protect the interest of the people through orders of sequestration or freezing of assets of accounts;
- e) Eradicate graft and corruption in the government and punish those guilty thereof; and
- f) Restore peace and order, settle the problem of insurgency, and pursue national reconciliation based on justice.
Section 2. The President shall be assisted by a Cabinet, which shall be composed of Ministers with or without portfolio who shall be appointed by the President. They shall be accountable to and hold office at the pleasure of the President.
Section 3. The President shall have control of and exercise general supervision over all local governments.
Section 4. In case of permanent vacancy arising from death, incapacity or resignation of the President, the Vice-President shall become President.
In case of death, permanent incapacity, or resignation of the Vice-President, the Cabinet shall choose from among themselves the Minister with portfolio who shall act as President.
Section 5. The Vice-President may be appointed Member of the Cabinet and may perform such other functions as may be assigned to him by the President.
Section 6. The President, the Vice-President and the members of the Cabinet shall be subject to the disabilities provided for in Section 8, Article VII, and in Section 6 and 7 Article IX, respectively, of the 1973 Constitution, as amended.
Article III Government reorganization
Section 1. In the reorganization of the government, priority shall be given to measures to promote economy, efficiency and the eradication of graft and corruption.
Section 2. All elective and appointive officials and employees under the 1973 Constitution shall continue in the office until, otherwise, provided by proclamation or executive order or upon the designation or appointment and qualification of their successors, if such is made within a period of one year from February 25, 1986.
Section 3. Any public office or employees separated from the service as a result of the reorganization effected under this Proclamation shall, if entitled under the laws then in force, receive the retirement and other benefits accruing thereunder.
Section 4. The records, equipment, buildings, facilities and other properties of all government offices shall be carefully preserved. In case any office or body is abolished or reorganized pursuant to this proclamation, its funds and properties shall be transferred to the office or body to which its powers, functions and responsibilities substantially pertain.”
What this country needs is not a revolutionary government, which would undermine the rule of law and scrap the Constitution. What we need is a strong leader with political will and pure intentions. Article VI, Section 23 of the 1987 Constitution states that Congress has the power to authorize the President “to exercise such powers necessary and proper to carry out a declared national policy.”
The national debate should shift, in my opinion, from a discussion on a revolutionary government to the need to strengthen the powers of the President to enable him to carry out the declared national policy “to establish a government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote the common good, conserve and develop our patrimony and secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality and peace xxx (1987 Constitution, Preamble).
If Congress needs a blueprint, it can consider the powers given to then President Cory under Article II and III of the Freedom Constitution.
Maybe a strong leader with political will, pure intentions, with a competent and dedicated core support will be able to address the hunger of a frustrated citizenry for genuine reforms and drastic changes.
Hope springs eternal!