Amid calls for VP's resignation, a call for a 'revolutionary government'

MANILA, Philippines — Some supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday passed around a paper to gather signatures urging him to declare a revolutionary government on the sidelines of a protest against Vice President Leni Robredo.

Some Duterte supporters present at the "Palit-Bise" rally, signed the declaration calling for the revolutionary government. The call was not included in the original aim of the rally, which is to show support for the president and to demand that Robredo either resign or be impeached.

“Kami ang nakapangyayaring sambayanang Pilipino at kumakatawan sa pinakamataas na puno kalooban ng mamamayang Pilipino, ay lubos na nagkakaisa sa kapasyahan at pagpapayag ng aming kagustuhan gawaran ng reobusyonaryong kapangyarihan si Presidente Rodrigo Roa Duterte na siyang kinikilala naming pangulo ng ating bansa at pinuno sa kilusang pagbabago,” the declaration read.

Supporters of the call for a revolutionary government want to abolish the 1987 Constitution and re-establish the 1973 Constitution as the country's basic law. They also want to allow the establishment of a federal system of government, which they deemed more appropriate for the future needs of the country.

Amending the 1987 Constitution for a shift to a federal form of government is among the stated priorities of the Duterte administration although Congress has yet to make substantial progress towards this. The House has instead focused on a bill to bring back the death penalty. This was the first bill filed at the 17th Congress.

The declaration added that the proposed revolutionary government allows Duterte to fight corruption in government and in the private sector and redeem ill-gotten wealth. It also allows the president to eradicate syndicates behind illegal drugs and other crimes, the group behind the declaration said.

 According to the supporters of the revolutionary government, the powers granted to Duterte will be effective within two years while the re-establishment of the 1973 Constitution and the federal system of government will begin once the revolutionary government has been established.

“Ang deklarasyon na ito ay isang pagkilala, na ang kasulukuyang sistema ng gobyerno at sinusunod na Saligang Batas ay walang saysay at bisa sa pagpapalaganap ng isang tunay na pagbabago sa ating bansa. Ito ay mga hadlang sa pagbibigay ng lunas sa ating mga problema,” the declaration read.

“Ito ay mga ginagamit nang naghaharing uri para sa kanilang pansariling kapakanan kahit ito ay kasiraan ng Sambayanang Pilipino. Dahil sa kanilang ganid, hindi na nila alam ang tunay na katuwiran,” it added.

The protesters are likely not representative of Duterte supporters holding an indignation rally dubbed “Palit Bise” against Vice President Leni Robredo. They are calling on the vice president to stop what they consider her shaming Duterte before the international community.

Robredo earned criticism from Duterte supporters, including some from the executive and legislative branches of government, for speaking about concerns over the government's war on drugs at a side event of a UN summit. Her video message alleged a "palit-ulo " scheme where the police nab a drug suspect's relative in their place.

The Palace and the Philippine National Police have denied the existence of a "palit-ulo" scheme as described by Robredo. They said "palit-ulo" refers to drug suspects committing to have their suppliers arrested in exchange for lighter penalties.

The indignation rally will be led by blogger and former sexy performer Mocha Uson as well as pro-Duterte lawyer Bruce Rivera, and singer supporter Jimmy Bondoc.

LOOK: Duterte blimp flying over the 'Palit Bise' rally | Photo by @Natspeaking pic.twitter.com/Ax0jtW4IDO

— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) April 2, 2017