Robredo opposes leading RevGov: I am not an ‘unconstitutional successor’

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday thumbed down the reports of leading a revolutionary government, saying she will only comply with the constitution.

“Unang una, Ka Ely, noong nabasa ko, natawa ako. Parang gusto kong sabihin, constitutional successor po ako—hindi unconstitutional, hindi extra-constitutional successor. Hindi ako magiging bahagi ng kahit ano, ng kahit ano, Ka Ely, na galaw na labag sa ating Konstitusyon,” Robredo told her co-host Ely Saludar during her BISErbisyong Leni program, reacting to calls for her to lead a revolutionary government.

(First and foremost, when I read it, I just laughed. I would like to say, I am a constitutional successor, I am not unconsitutional — not an extra-constitutional successor. I don’t want to be a part of something that violates our constitution.)

Robredo said she will not join an illegal movement because government officials must stay loyal to the 1987 Constitution.

“Kasi kami ni Pangulo, saka iyong lahat na officials na nakaupo ngayon, noong kami ay pumasok sa panunungkulan namin ngayon, nag-take oath kami sa Konstitusyon. At ang aming sinumpaan, Ka Ely, na poproteksyunan namin iyong Konstitusyon habang nandito kami at ginagawa namin iyong trabahong iniatas sa amin,” she said.

(The President and I and all officials took an oath before the constitution. We swore that we would protect the constitution while we are serving as government officials.)

It can be recalled that a pro-Duterte group gathered at Clark Freeport to push for revolutionary government under President Duterte which would fast-track the federal type of government in the country.

Critics and even allies of Duterte blasted the idea, noting that charges must be filed against the proponents of the revolutionary government.

JE