(Eagle News)–Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday, April 7, said her “readiness” to take over the presidency should President Rodrigo Duterte declare a revolutionary government should not be mistaken for “eagerness.”
In the first place, Robredo said it was not she who started talking about the issue, but the President himself who made the threat.
Duterte said he would make the declaration if “pushed to the wall” by his critics.
Duterte made the comment after lashing out at Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon, who had urged the government to be cautious about reviewing and cancelling contracts it entered into.
Drilon did this after Duterte ordered a review of all such contracts after he learnt of one entered into with Maynilad that supposedly banned the government from interfering in any manner that will reduce or delay the implementation of agreed upon water rates.
“Anyone who aspires to the vice presidency must be ready for any eventuality because that’s the mandate of the office,” Robredo had said in response to Duterte’s threat.
She, however, added declaring a revolutionary government was against the Constitution.
“Kaming dalawa, pareho kaming nanumpa na ipagtatanggol namin ang Konstitusyon ng Republika ng Pilipinas. Kapag nagdeklara siya ng revolutionary government, ang gusto ba nitong sabihin, inaabandona niya iyong kaniyang pinanumpaan,” she told reporters in Bohol, following the launch of the Ahon Laylayan Koalisyon.
She said it was essential for those holding public office to be prudent with their pronouncements, and not to resort to “tantrums” amid criticisms.
“Tingin ko hindi ito responsable na response dahil kami, pagpasok namin sa ganitong trabaho, pagsumpa namin na aayusin namin iyong aming mandato, kabahagi na nito iyong kahirapan. Dapat handa kaming harapin iyong lahat na kahirapan,” she added.
