Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) Secretary General and former House Speaker Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez said calls for a revolutionary government during the COVID-19 pandemic are "downright irresponsible."
(TOTO LOZANO/Presidential Photo / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
"The aim of this rev gov call is far from clear. Moreover, this is not the time for such advocacy. It is downright irresponsible especially given the situation we find ourselves in," he said in a statement today.
"People are sick, desperate, and grieving the loss of loved ones. Many are afraid, hungry, and rightly feel abandoned. Businesses have closed down and Filipinos – both here and abroad -- lost their jobs. This is a cycle that is continuously being repeated and we find ourselves spiraling down towards the abyss. These are the perils we have to confront," Alvarez said.
"How does the call for rev gov help solve these problems? Well, let’s be blunt and truthful here: It doesn’t," he added.
"Worst of all, it shows the disconnect, insensitivity, and lack of empathy of those who are calling for such drastic move while many of our countrymen are suffering."
The Davao del Norte solon said Filipinos would be better off focusing on more pressing matters, such as containing the public health crisis, extending assistance to the poor and marginalized, jumpstarting the econony, helping businesses reopen, and generating employment.
"Pushing for rev gov, at this time, does not help achieve those objectives," he said.
The Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte-National Executive Coordinating Committee called for the creation of a rev gov and wants President Duterte to head the rev gov.