Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Tuesday, Aug. 25, expressed disapproval over calls for the creation of a revolutionary government.
“Given the objective of setting aside and disregarding the present Constitution to promulgate a new one under the auspices of a so-called revolutionary government, I certainly do not agree with, much less share such calls, in my capacity as a lawyer, as justice secretary, and as an ordinary Filipino citizen,” he said.
With this, the secretary assured that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will investigate any complaints that will be filed against individuals calling for a revolutionary government.
“Insofar as these calls suggest the tearing down of existing political institutions and lead to social disorder, any complaint for inciting to sedition will be seriously investigated by the DOJ,” he said.
Guevarra made the statement after the Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte-National Executive Coordinating Committee (MRRD-NECC) called for the establishment of a revolutionary government through a people’s initiative and have President Duterte lead it.
The secretary reminded that the country experienced two revolutionary governments in its history, the 1897 government against the Spanish colonial government and the 1986 government that resulted from the People Power Revolution which toppled the dictatorship of then President Ferdinand Marcos.
“Both were attended with some form of violence; the first, by an armed revolt, the second, by a coup d' etat and people power,” said Guevarra.
However, the DOJ observed that “nothing of that sort obtains under the present circumstances.”
“The constitution is well in place, all political institutions are functioning normally, the head of government continues to have the support of the vast majority of the people,” he pointed out.
If the objective of the proponents is to effect constitutional changes, the secretary advised that this could be accomplished “without resorting to extra-constitutional ways.”
“Impatience is not a ground to overthrow a constitutional government and replace it with one whose undefined powers are not derived from the sovereign will of the people,” Guevarra stressed.