Some groups are reportedly trying to seek support from members of the uniformed services for a possible military-backed “people power revolution” amid the controversies involving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte – but such efforts are not likely to succeed, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Sunday.
Lacson said he received information indicating that some “retired officers” are trying to recruit support from within the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“There is definitely an attempt but this is outside the AFP. Those behind this could only recruit a few, if at all, from inside the AFP. My contacts in the Philippine National Police say there is no indication this ‘movement’ will snowball. But definitely there is an attempt, mostly by retired officers,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.
In Filipino: Lacson: May Binabalak na ‘Military-Backed People Power’ pero Malamang Mabibigo
Lacson served in the uniformed service from 1971 to 2001, in both the AFP and PNP. He served as PNP Chief from 1999 to 2001.
When asked about the chances of such a move succeeding, Lacson said there is none, because the AFP is a professional organization.
“So long as the AFP is professional and I would like to believe it is, there is no compelling reason to have a military junta or another People Power revolution,” he said.
Last year, Lacson rejected the idea of a military-backed “reset” or junta amid public outrage over corruption issues, saying such outrage must continue but not at the expense of the Constitution.
In rejecting unconstitutional changes of leadership, he pointed out that under the 1987 Constitution, the succession of leadership ends with the House Speaker. He said this was why he filed his “Designated Survivor” bill that extends the line of succession to include the most senior Senate and House member.
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Lacson: May Binabalak na ‘Military-Backed People Power’ pero Malamang Mabibigo
May ilang grupo umanong nagsisikap na humingi ng suporta mula sa mga kasapi ng uniformed services para sa posibleng military-backed na “people power revolution” sa gitna ng mga kontrobersiyang kinasasangkutan nina Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Vice President Sara Duterte — ngunit malabong magtagumpay ang ganitong mga hakbang, ayon kay Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson ngayong Linggo.
Ani Lacson, may impormasyong nakarating sa kanya na may ilang “retiradong opisyal” na nagsisikap mangalap ng suporta mula sa loob ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“Medyo definite ang meron talagang nag-a-attempt pero sa labas ng AFP. Kung meron man sa loob, mangilan-ngilan siguro na nare-recruit. At ito naman sinagot ng liderato ng AFP. Sa loob naman, ako personally wala akong namomonitor base sa aking contact ko sa loob ng PNP na may ganyang mag-snowball na layunin. Pero definitely may nag-a-attempt. Karamihan ang mga retired officers,” aniya sa panayam sa DZBB.
Nagsilbi si Lacson sa uniformed service mula 1971 hanggang 2001 sa parehong AFP at Philippine National Police (PNP). Naging PNP Chief siya mula 1999 hanggang 2001.
Sa tanong na kung may tsansa bang magtagumpay ang ganitong pagkilos, sinabi ni Lacson na wala, dahil propesyonal ang AFP.
“As long as professional ang ating AFP and I would like to believe na professional ang ating AFP. Walang compelling reason para magkaroon ng military junta or another People Power revolution,” aniya.
Noong nakaraang taon, tinutulan ni Lacson ang panukalang military-backed na “reset” o junta sa gitna ng galit ng publiko sa mga isyu ng korapsyon, at iginiit na dapat manatili ang pananagutan sa loob ng konstitusyonal na proseso.
Binigyang-diin din niya na sa ilalim ng 1987 Konstitusyon, ang linya ng presidential succession ay nagtatapos sa House Speaker. Ito umano ang isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit niya inihain ang “Designated Survivor” bill na magpapalawak sa succession upang maisama ang pinaka-senior na miyembro ng Senado at Kamara.
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