DILG distances from revolutionary government call

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) yesterday distanced itself from the statement of one of its undersecretaries calling for a revolutionary government.

DILG officer-in-charge Eduardo Año said the department is not leading a campaign to shift to federalism through a revolutionary government that will turn the entire system of government upside down, creating a “People’s Council” that will keep President Duterte in power until a new system is in place.

Año issued the clarification in response statements allegedly made by DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III during a recent public gathering in Butuan City that the DILG has been leading calls for the establishment of a revolutionary government that would pave the way for a shift to a federal system.

“The call for a revolutionary government is the personal opinion of Usec. Densing and not of the DILG,” said Año.

According to Año, Densing was speaking as honorary chairman of the Mula sa Masa Duterte Movement, a group supportive of the President.

Año said the official position of the DILG is to inform and advocate for federalism using the draft charter crafted by the consultative committee (Concom) that reviewed the 1987 Constitution. The members of the Concom were appointed by Duterte.

“We are advocating for federalism through constitutional means. The 1987 Constitution has clear provisions on how a change in the system of government can be effected. We abide by these provisions and will see to it that any change in the system of government goes through constitutional processes,” said Año.

He said only a duly-accredited civil society organization may use the DILG’s name in its federalism advocacy activities.

Densing, in a phone interview on Friday, said that he stated his proposition for people’s government not as a DILG official but as an advocate of federalism.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde refused to comment when asked for the possibility of a revolutionary government under the Duterte administration.

“That will be on the level of our commander-in-chief. I’m sure he has his security advisers if he will really decide to have a revolutionary government,” he told reporters in Quezon City.