DA NANG, VIETNAM”•President Rodrigo Duterte has backed off from his calls to declare a revolutionary government but ribbed top defense and military officials for preferring Vice President Leni Robredo over him.
Speaking to reporters Thursday night, Duterte appeared sarcastic as he brushed off the assurance given to the vice president that the military would not support any move placing the country under a revolutionary government.
“She’s right. I asked the military. They said, ‘we are not supporting any declaration for a revolutionary government’,” the President said after meeting with the Filipino community here.
“I said, ‘Why?’ They said, ‘Because the Vice President said it.’ And then, ‘I prefer her more. She’s a woman and do not curse.’ Like that.
“Then me? I then said yes. Let’s not declare a revolutionary government. Right, she’s right.”
John Paolo Bencito
But Duterte insisted that declaring a revolutionary government did not need any talk but rather swift action.
On Wednesday, Robredo said both Armed Forces Chief Rey Leonardo Guerrero and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told her they would not be supporting any moves to establish a revolutionary government.
That amid Duterte’s threat to declare one once he sensed that a destabilization plot was about to install a new leader to replace him.
Security officials earlier briefed Robredo about the ongoing rehabilitation efforts in Marawi, where the government has just ended a five-month siege by Islamic State-inspired terrorists.