Dwayne Pelagio

The Malacañang Palace responded to former president Rodrigo Duterte’s call for the military to protect the constitution instead of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Nov. 26, calling the motive as “power grabbing.”

Photo Courtesy of Aaron Favila/AP/Rappler.

"Hindi katanggap-tanggap ang marahas na pang-aagaw ng kapangyarihan upang madaling maluklok bilang pangulo sa pamamagitan ng pagpaslang, panggugulo at pag-aalsa,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin stressed in a statement.

He added that Duterte is willing to go to “great and evil lengths,” such as insulting the professional armed forces by asking them to betray their oath, for his plan to succeed.

Bersamin calls out Duterte to respect the Constitution and not disobey it.
“Nakakagulat ang garapalang panawagan ni dating Pangulong Duterte sa ating sandatahang lakas na maglunsad ng kudeta laban kay Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,” he stated, expressing his dismay over Duterte’s remarks.

The executive secretary also vowed that the Palace will defend its legacy before the Filipino People only by lawful means and will act resolutely to go against all unlawful attempts and challenges.

Duterte said in a press conference on Nov. 26 that there is a fractured governance in the country and the military can only correct it.

“Hanggang kailan kayo mag suporta ng drug addict na Presidente?” Duterte asked at the press conference.

The former president challenged the military because according to him, they should protect the constitution.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has issued a subpoena on Vice President Sara Duterte for her remarks that she ordered someone to kill Marcos if an alleged plot against her succeeds.