Año chides Parlade: ‘Respect duly constituted authorities, be more responsible, circumspect’

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Wednesday castigated retired Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., who is pushing for a “revolutionary government” as a solution to the problem of corruption.

“We urge him — as a former military general who has sworn to uphold the Constitution — to respect duly constituted authorities, be more responsible and circumspect in airing his personal remarks, and to seek the proper legal mechanisms to address his concerns,” Año said in a statement.

Parlade, along with around 100 people, held a protest at the People Power Monument in Quezon City on Tuesday as he alleged corruption in the Commission on Elections.

READ: Parlade says PH may need revolutionary gov’t; Lorenzana tells AFP to ‘ignore’ him

But Año denounced Parlade’s statements, saying “such remarks are reckless and careless, especially at this time when the country will soon hold elections for a new set of leaders.”

Año, a  former chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), also urged local governments to dismiss Parlade’s remarks.

“Stay the course of delivering public service that addresses the needs of your jurisdiction even in the middle of a highly political climate,” he said.

READ: Parlade’s call for revolutionary gov’t better left ignored, Palace says

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday ordered the AFP to ignore Parlade’s call.

“We, at the Department of Defense, denounce the attempt by Lt. Gen. Parlade to involve the Department especially the AFP in airing his personal grievances and his call for a revolutionary government,” Lorenzana said in a statement.

“As citizens of a democratic country, all Filipinos are entitled to freedom of expression but this should be done through proper grievance mechanisms,” he added.

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