CEBU Gov. Hilario Davide III said he sees no reason for President Benigno Aquino III to step down or believes a coup d’état is afoot in the wake of the Jan. 25 Mamasapano clash.
Davide said it was “off-tangent” to ask the President to abandon his post because this would cause a constitutional crisis.
The National Transformation Council (NTC) last week had Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal read its statement, along with five other bishops, advocating that Aquino and top government officials give way to a “transition” group of still unidentified leaders act as “caretakers.”
“Who is going to replace the entire government? We have a functioning government, a president, and other officials,” said Davide.
The governor said that if the NTC feels that the President is not doing enough, they can go to court.
Davide said he believes that the potential caretakers being eyed by NTC are those close to the previous administration or who are critical of the President.
“They are just pursuing their own agenda,” said Davide.
Davide refused to comment on the role of retired Archbishop Vidal after reading and hearing several negative comments about Vidal’s reading of the NTC statement.
“The cardinal has his own opinion. So does the Church or civil society,” said Davide, adding that he respects the opinions of varied groups.
He downplayed speculation over a possible coup d’état. He said such a move “will not gain popular support.”
“I believe that the Armed Forces and the (Philippine National Police) are intact and they have a duty to uphold the Constitution,” he said.
Davide said their members are professional, especially its officers, and that they know that any attempt at overthrowing the government would be futile.