Senator Leila de Lima. GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
The establishment of a revolutionary government, and not a martial law declaration, is the real threat to democracy, Senator Leila de Lima warned on Friday.
“It’s not remote,” De Lima, former Justice Secretary, said during an open forum with students of Miriam College in Quezon City.
READ: Duterte eyes revolutionary government
“Magagalit na naman sila, siguradong titirahin na naman ako (They would get mad again and criticize me). I don’t mind. I can say anything. I’m a human being. I’m a free human being. We are creatures of free will. We can think anything we want and we can say anything we think, right? And I’m thinking that I have the right to articulate on that. I have the right to express it…”
“That’s more scary—revolutionary government, not martial law. So ladies and gentlemen, it’s a real threat to our democracy so we can’t remain silent,” she said.
READ: Duterte to declare revolutionary gov’t once elected
The senator made the remarks when asked during the open forum about the possibility of a martial law declaration to justify extrajudicial killings in the country.
While martial law could be declared by the present leadership, De Lima said it would be difficult as it has to pass through some legal processes.
“Because you know, martial law has to go through some legal obstacles, getting the concurrence of Congress although pwedeng magawa yan (that’s possible) because of the supermajority. But it’s also subject to the judicial review, review by the Supreme Court. Baka mahirapan (They could find it difficult) although they can also achieve that…” she said.
Forming a revolutionary government, she said, is “far broader” and more totalitarian.
“Because it’s extra-constitutional. Because its extra-constitutional, he can do anything. He would have absolute power. He can abolish key institutions like Congress, like the courts. They can introduce a new political system, legal system, social system, economic system…” the senator said. RAM/rga