Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo salutes to the statue of National Hero Jose Rizal during a wreath laying ceremony at the 120th Independence Day celebration at Rizal Park in Manila on June 12, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / NOEL CELIS
TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo on Friday said she is ready to succeed President Rodrigo Duterte should he declare a revolutionary government since it is part of her office’s constitutional mandate.
“Lahat naman ng kumakandidatong Pangalawang Pangulo dapat ready sa ganyang eventuality kasi ‘yan naman ‘yung mandato ng opisina,” Robredo told reporters after the launch of her “Ahon Laylayan” coalition here.
Veteran election lawyer Romulo Macalintal earlier said the Vice President would take over as new president of the republic, should the President declare a revolutionary government.
Macalintal is an opposition senatorial bet and Robredo’s counsel in an ongoing election protest against her.
READ: ‘Robredo to become President if Duterte declares revolutionary gov’t’
Macalintal said this after Duterte threatened to suspend the writ of habeas corpus, declare a revolutionary war and government, and arrest his critics following statements of caution by opposition lawmakers on his order to review all government contracts and loans with private firms and foreign countries.
READ: Duterte twits Drilon, threatens to suspend writ of habeas corpus
Robredo also criticized Duterte’s threat and said this was a violation of the Constitution which they both swore to uphold when they were elected to public office.
“Medyo nagulat ako dahil abogado siya at alam n’ya na labag ito sa Konstitusyon… Kaming dalawa pareho kami nanumpa na ipagtatanggol namin ang Konstitusyon ng Pilipinas,” the second-highest official of the land said.
Duterte’s threat to tag his critics as rebels, criminals, and drug addicts did not also sit well with Robredo.
“Parang admission na basta kumokontra ka sa Pangulo magkakaroon ka ng label na criminal, rebelde o durugista. Hindi naman yata ‘yun fair,” she said.
Robredo then reminded the Chief Executive to be more responsible with his statements even when faced with many issues.
“Kailangan kasi alalahanin, hindi lang ng Pangulo, hindi lang ako, pero ‘yung lahat na naglilingkod sa bayan na marami talagang pagsubok ‘yung pinasok namin na trabaho. Pero ‘yung mga pagsagot sa pagsubok dapat within constitutional means,” the Vice President pointed out.
“Hindi pwedeng dahil parang nag-alburoto ka, parang tatakutin ‘yung taumbayan sa isang paraan na hindi constitutional. Tingin ko hindi ito responsable na response…” she added. /kga