“So what if things get chaotic?”
That’s what Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said in a speech in Puerto Princesa, Palawan yesterday as he warned his critics that he would declare a “revolutionary war” and suspend the writ of habeas corpus if he is pushed to his limits.
The warning came as he addressed the crowd in the 31st Annual Convention of the Prosecutor’s League of the Philippines. He said it while ranting about opposition Senator Franklin Drilon’s advice that the government’s review of all their existing contracts should be done with caution.
Duterte had ordered the Solicitor General and the Department of Justice to review the government’s contracts with private companies and other countries to ensure that they are not disadvantageous to Filipinos. Deals with onerous provisions will supposedly be re-negotiated or terminated.
Drilon said that he agreed with the order but warned that this must undergo the proper procedures.
“But I must caution that existing and binding contracts cannot simply be classified as onerous and canceled… The government must avail of the procedure outlined in the contract,” he said.
“The government must respect the sanctity of the contracts. Otherwise, no country or entity would enter into contracts with us because we cannot be trusted to honor our obligations.”
Duterte was put off by the senator’s advice and seemed to have seen it as an overstep.
“I ordered the review of the contracts and here comes Drilon saying that ‘be careful.’ Be careful of what? Be careful of what? We both went through the Department of Justice,” he said in English and Filipino during his speech yesterday.
“Why should I be very careful in reviewing contracts that are not to the interest of the people? And the onerous and burden (sic) provisions there that the people have to honor so, you think that I will allow it? Just because we cannot impair the obligation of our contracts?”
The president then said that he has too many problems to worry about and warned critics that if he is pushed to his limits, he will declare the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus.
“I have enough problems with criminality, drugs, rebellion, and all. But if you push me to my limit, I will declare the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus and I will arrest all of you,” Duterte said.
If the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus is suspended, authorities can arrest anyone without a warrant.
Duterte also warned that if critics make things harder for him, he would declare a revolutionary war.
“Make things difficult for me and I will declare a revolutionary war until the end of my term, he said.
In 2017, Duterte threatened critics that he would declare a revolutionary government if people try to oust him.
