President Rodrigo Duterte will address the nation Tuesday, the Palace said after warning Monday about a massive plot to destabilize the administration.
“He announced in Davao that he wants to speak to the nation and if I’m not mistaken, it’s scheduled for tomorrow afternoon,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said, without offering any details on Duterte’s agenda.
The President returned over the weekend from state visits to Israel and Jordan last week to growing public dissatisfaction over rising food and fuel prices, which have driven the rate of inflation to a nine-year high.
His administration also became embroiled in a legal battle over the President’s decision to revoke the amnesty granted in 2011 to one of his harshest critics, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who had led two coup attempts against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The President on Saturday accused Trillanes of conspiring with the opposition Liberal Party and communist rebels to overthrow him.
The Liberal Party has denied the accusation, but Roque echoed the warning Monday.
“I know they have been organizing to have a large destabilization movement in time for [46th] martial law anniversary. So, the President said it would be in high gear when October comes,” he said.
“But I think, with the large mandate given by the people to the President, their plots will be useless amid their threats. It is evident that the yellows cannot accept their defeat [in the 2016 elections],” Roque said, insisting that the LP has been plotting Duterte’s ouster since he took office.
The President ruled out the need for a loyalty check among the military.
“Do not bring me the armor or anything. Just tell me. We can have coffee. I’ll invite you and I will administer the oath to anybody who is interested [to become the President],” he said. “Now, what will follow is not my problem.”
The country this month marks the 46th anniversary of the declaration of martial law by President Ferdinand Marcos on Sept. 21, 1972.
Last year, Duterte canceled the classes in public schools and government work on Sept. 21 and declared it a National Day of Protest.
