Duterte Hostile After Opposition Cautions the Administration

President Rodrigo Duterte made a hostile statement about declaring a ‘revolutionary war’ after a member of the opposition cautioned the administration in reviewing government contracts.

Franklin Drilon, Senate Minority Leader had asked the administration to exercise ‘extreme caution’ in re-examining government deals. Drilon said existing and binding contracts cannot simply be classified as onerous and canceled. “The government must respect the sanctity of the contracts or no country or entity would enter into deals with the Philippines.” He pointed out that the power to review contracts should not be used as a ‘harassment tool’.

Angered by Drilon’s suggestion, Duterte insisted that ‘onerous’ provisions should not be honored. “Why should I be careful in reviewing contracts that are not in the interest of the people? And the onerous and burdensome provisions there that the people will have to honor, so you think I will allow it? Just because we cannot impair the obligation of our contracts?” The president also said he would suspend the writ of habeas corpus ‘if pushed against the wall’. “I have enough problems with criminality, drugs rebellion and if you go too far, I will declare a suspension of the writ of habeas corpus and I will arrest all of you.”

He also confronted the opposition for portraying him as a dictator.