Palace seeks to dismiss 'revolutionary govt' bid

Malacañang on Saturday sought to dismiss a Department of Defense official’s suggestion that President Benigno Aquino III can declare a revolutionary government to restore order in the country. DND spokesman Zosimo Paredes' suggestion does not reflect the sentiments of the Defense Department or the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said. “I don’t think it has been discussed, it’s the personal opinion of [Paredes]," she said on government-run dzRB radio, when asked if the government had considered such a move. Paredes was quoted as saying that when national security is threatened or at stake, a revolutionary government is an option for the President under the Constitution. Earlier reports also quoted AFP Civil Relations Service chief Maj. Gen. Eduardo del Rosario as saying the entire military is in full support of the chain of command. But Valte said she had talked to DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, who she said stressed the idea of a revolutionary government was Paredes’ personal opinion. — LBG, GMA News