Any “extraconstitutional” move to oust President Rodrigo Duterte will not succeed, a lawmaker said on Monday after the chief executive claimed that groups were plotting to overthrow him by October.
“Wala akong alam dyan pero ang masasabi ko lang any extraconstitutional move will not succeed kahit po ang kanilang cause ay maganda,” Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe said in a press briefing.
“Babalik na naman tayo sa uno… magiging unstable na naman ang ating demorcatic institutions,” he added, stressing that the only constitutional way to unseat the President is through an impeachment proceeding.
Duterte earlier bared an alleged ouster plot brewing against him and led by the opposition Liberal Party (LP), Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and communist insurgents. The critics had denied this accusation.
READ: No ouster move, say Trillanes, ‘plotters’
Deputy Speaker and Batangas 2nd District Rep. Raneo Abu, meanwhile, doubts the existence of such a plot.
“Hindi natin masasabi na talagang dinesign ito na magkaroon sila ng sabwatan kundi nagkakataon lamang na nakakakita sila ng mga issue at ‘yun ang nagiging venue nila para tirahin yung isang popular na presidente,” he said.
On the other hand, Marikina 2nd District Rep. Romero Quimbo, an LP lawmaker, dismissed Duterte’s claims as “nonsense.”
“Kumita na ‘yan. Lumang tugtugin na ‘yan. Ilang beses nang dinala sa takilya ‘yan hindi na na kumikita ‘yan. Walang ganyan, kalokohan ‘yan,” he told reporters.
“Stop the abuse of power and prevent its misuse… Gamitin dapat ito (kapangyarihan) para i-address ang napakataas na presyo ng bilihin… Kokonti na nga lang kami sa Liberal Party kinatatakutan pa kami,” he added. /vvp