MANILA, Philippines- Senator Leila De Lima warned of a revolutionary government under President Rodrigo Duterte during an open forum with students of Miriam College in Quezon City on Friday, October 14.
According to De Lima, the declaration of martial law is “always a possibility” but explained that the creation of a revolutionary government is more likely than martial law, which has to go through some “legal obstacles”.
PHOTO CREDIT: Inquirer
De Lima explained that a revolutionary government, which she believes is the real threat to democracy, is more scary than martial law.
“Revolutionary government would be much more totalitarian because it is extra-constitutional. If it’s extra-constitutional, he can do anything. He would have absolute power. He can abolish key institutions like Congress, like the courts. They can introduce a new political system, legal system, social system, economic system – because of this bias towards the left,” De Lima.
De Lima, a staunch critic of Duterte, has received regular attacks from the President and his allies during the past months for allegedly being involved in the illegal drug trade inside New Bilibid Prison (NBP).
Saying that she is a “champion of justice”, De Lima said she never imagined herself becoming a victim of injustice.
“And do you think I can attain justice before the DOJ (Department of Justice)? So justice has become illusory, has become elusive for me in the same manner that many have found it so in this country,” De Lima said.
Duterte to Establish a Revolutionary Government
Duterte has earlier expressed his intention to set up a revolutionary government and establish a federal-parliamentary type of government.
During a TV interview on June, Duterte said: “I will give myself six months to one year to do the reforms I want to do. If the system becomes obstructionist and I become inutile, I will declare a revolutionary government.”