November 22, 2017

The latest statement of the President clearly and definitively saying that he will not declare a revolutionary government nor impose martial law, is an important, and welcome, step towards allaying the fears of many Filipinos that a return to the chaos and uncertainty of a dictatorial regime may be imminent. It is our hope that this declaration will put an end to the dangerous and alarming proposals made in both traditional and social media the past month to set aside the certainty and security of our Constitution and laws in favor of dictatorial rule by way of either “revolutionary government” or martial law.

My position has always been clear — the Constitution is a covenant between our people and their government. It is our strongest guarantee that government, and the officials that serve in it, will always be accountable to the people they serve, and that the power they exercise will not be abused.

Every public official — including the President and myself — before assuming the duties of our respective offices, swears a solemn oath to uphold and defend the Constitution.

Our authority, and our legitimacy, is anchored on our fidelity to the Constitution, and to the democratic principles enshrined within it.

Setting aside the Constitution is a betrayal of this oath, and denies this authority and legitimacy.

The President’s latest declaration should serve as a clear message to all our public officials and our people — the oaths we took will continue to be honored, and our Constitution, and the democratic republic it establishes, will be upheld and defended.

Our people deserve no less.