By Brian Campued
Malacañang on Tuesday branded former President Rodrigo Duterte’s brazen call for the military to overthrow the current administration as a “selfish motive,” urging the former chief executive to respect the Constitution and desist from being “irresponsible.”
“No motive is more selfish than calling for a sitting President to be overthrown so that your daughter can take over. And he will go to great and evil lengths, such as insulting our professional armed forces by asking them to betray their oath, for his plan to succeed,” Bersamin said in a statement.
“The former President should respect the Constitution, not disobey it. He should desist from being as irresponsible as he has become,” he added.
Bersamin also reiterated that the government, under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., will continue to fulfill its duty to govern and manage the country’s affairs in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law.
“It will defend its legacy before the Filipino people only by lawful means. The state will act resolutely to go against all unlawful attempts and challenges,” the executive secretary said.
“Hindi katanggap-tanggap ang marahas na pang-aagaw ng kapangyarihan upang madaling maluklok bilang Pangulo sa pamamagitan ng pagpaslang, panggugulo at pag-alsa,” he added.
In a late Monday press conference, Duterte challenged the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to “protect the Constitution” amid what he called a “fractured” government.
Meanwhile, the AFP said the chain of command in the military remains intact as Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. urged soldiers to continue performing their duties.
“At this point, there is no need for loyalty checks. Our chief of staff already stated that he trusts that each soldier will perform his mandate accordingly and remain professional,” AFP Spokesperson Col. Francel Padilla said in a press briefing.
“Ang ine-emphasize natin dito is that the Armed Forces of the Philippines is a non-partisan organization. We respectfully request that we are shunned away from political issues,” Padilla added. (with report from Patrick de Jesus/PTV News)
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