Escudero: Possible revolutionary gov’t under Duterte ‘alarming’

Vice presidential candidate Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Wednesday expressed alarm over a possible establishment of a revolutionary government under the leadership of presidential poll-frontrunner Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

“Nakakatakot talaga at nagbibigay ng pangamba ‘yun sa marami. Subalit bahagi ‘yan ng mga pahayag niya na tinitimbang ng ating mga kababayan kung bakit ayaw siya marahil o kung bakit gusto rin siya sa kabilang banda,” Escudero said in a forum at Kamuning Bakery Café in Quezon City.

(It’s really alarming to many people. But this is one of the things he says that the public needs to figure out whether or not they want to side with him.)

READ: Duterte eyes revolutionary government

Escudero also warned of chaos and damaging effects to economy if Duterte, should he win the presidency, pushed through with his pronouncement of putting up a revolutionary government.

“Anumang pangamba ang dinadala nito, tiyak ako, nandoon sa mga nakaupo at maaaring mawalan ng trabaho kung mangyayari nga ‘yan. At siympre, ‘yung kaguluhang dala niyan at pagbagsak ng ating ekonomiya kung magaganap nga ang ganyang sinasabi,” he added.

(The frightening effects will be felt, I’m sure, among those already seated and they could lose their jobs because of this. And of course, chaos and downfall in the economy will also take place.)

Business leaders have expressed uncertainty over Duterte’s vague economic plans, as the Philippine Stock Exchange index fell for the fifth consecutive day on Tuesday after the feisty mayor delivered a speech before the prestigious Makati Business Club.

In different occasions even before declaring his presidential bid, Duterte said he wants to set up a revolutionary government to pave the way for federalism, which he said was the only way to solve criminality, corruption, and the Bangsamoro problem.

“If I am the president, [and] I cannot achieve the reforms I want within six months or one year, I will declare a revolutionary government,” Duterte said in a symposium in Lucena City in June 2015.

READ: Duterte to declare revolutionary gov’t once elected

In the latest Pulse Asia survey commissioned by ABS-CBN from April 26 to 29, Duterte continues to enjoy a double-digit lead over his rivals with 33 percent of voter preference. He was followed by administration bet Mar Roxas (22 percent) and independent candidate Sen. Grace Poe (21 percent), who were in a virtual tie for second place.

Escudero said the tough-talking mayor’s surging popularity in polls may be attributed to an “anti-establishment vote,” but noted that the candidates’ numbers can still change, five days before the elections.

“Posibleng nakukuha niya ang sinasabing anti-establishment vote pero may apat na araw pa ang eleksyon… Tulad ng nagdaang mga halalan, marami pa ring pwede at dapat mangyari bago mag-halalan na pwedeng makapagpabago, makapagdagdag o makabawas sa sino mang tumatakbo,” the senator said.

(It’s possible that this is an anti-establishment vote, but we still have four days till elections… Like the past elections, many things can still happen which could change, add, or take away from any candidate.) JE