Boxing icon and Sen. Emmanuel D. Pacquaio today said proponents of a revolutionary government should focus their attention in helping the administration in its fight to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The move has been disowned by President Duterte.
Pacquiao went on to urge them to use their funds instead in purchasing PCR testing kits and donate it to the public for free.
Pushing for the creation of a revolutionary government during the ongoing pandemic is ‘’ill-timed and absolutely insensitive,’’ Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao said the ‘’Mayor Rodrigo Duterte-National Executive Coordinating Committee,’’ the group behind the movement, obviously does not have the support of the President and as such, there is no reason for them to pursue the issue any further.
“Nagsalita na ang ating mahal na Pangulong Dutere. Sana naman kung tunay po kayong nagmamalasakit sa Pangulo at sa sambayanang Pilipino ay isantabi niyo na po ang inyong isinusulong na revolutionary government. Mas makakabuti na gamitin na lang ang pondo para matulungan ang ating pamahalaan upang mapigilan ang pagdami ng mga nahahawa sa COVID-19 (The President has spoken. If you care for the President and the nation, please set aside your proposal of a revolutionary government. It would be better if you use your funds to help the government in halting the spread of COVID-19),” Pacquaio said.
Pacquiao said creating a revolutionary government is not only a violation of the Constitution but could be deemed as an act of treason.
Changing the form of government, he said, would require amendments to the 1987 Constitution.
Pacquiao stressed that while he is supporting calls to change the present presidential bicameral form of government to federal form, this should be pursued within the bounds of the Constitution.
“If we want to change the form of government, we should work within the bounds of the present Constitution,’’ he added.
“Huwag na po natin ipilit ito lalo na ngayon na halos wala ng makain ang iba nating mga kababayan dahil sa pandemya. Mas mabuti na sa halip na ubusin natin ang ating panahon sa mga bagay na lalo lamang nagiging dahilan ng pagkakawatak-watak natin ay gamitin na lang natin ito upang makatulong sa ating mga kababayan(Don’t insist with your proposal as Filipinos are getting hungry because of the pandemic. Instead of wasting your time pushing for things that would only serve to divide the country, use it to help our countrymen) ,” Pacquiao said.