Duterte debunks destabilization, opposes Cha-cha

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Former president Rodrigo Duterte shrugged off reports of disgruntled police and military officials holding a secret government destabilization meeting with him here in Davao City.

“Me? Who would believe me? Who among the police or military would be silly enough to meet with me for destabilization? They must be crazy,” Duterte said in Filipino, adding that he, or anyone else for that matter, has no reason to have President Marcos replaced.

No movement of military or police officials had been noted here in this southern metropolis.

Duterte pointed out that he is comfortable with Marcos as president, and he finds no reason for a change in political leadership.

“For what purpose? To replace Marcos? I am comfortable with Marcos. Why would I replace him? And who am I to replace him at this time of my life,” the former president said during a press briefing in a hotel here in Davao City Saturday night.

He stressed that rumors of a destabilization plot are a product of insecurity of certain quarters.

“It is all their insecurity, maybe? It is all in the mind. It is either they are bullshitting around – or is it their insecurity?” Duterte said.

He said that he already reached the peak of his political career, so there is no reason to tinker with any destabilization act.

“There are a lot of stupid people around. But for myself, I am quite content with what I achieved for myself, for my family and for my country. In the first place, what would be my objective? Nothing,” Duterte said.

Contrary to his past statements, the former president refused to comment on the political turmoil faced by his daughter, Sara, the vice president and concurrent education secretary.

“I cannot at this time be an active participant in politics. It is all politics. She has to, at this time, be on her own,” Duterte said.

The former president however said that he has passed the political baton to his daughter.

“I am old. My children – likely Inday (Sara) – in my family will carry on,” Duterte said.

He added that his youngest son, Mayor Sebastian Duterte, does not really like politics, and he cannot read the political plans of First District Rep. Paolo Duterte.

On the issue of Charter change, Duterte opposes any proposal to change the 1987 Constitution, saying that there is nothing wrong with it.

He asserts that there is nothing wrong with the Constitution to warrant a change, after Marcos ordered a study on whether there is a need to revise the constitution to draw more foreign investment.

Speaker Martin Romualdez has also said that the House of Representatives will push for the amendment of the 1987 Constitution this year.

“We have a good Constitution. I find it in perfect condition. I find nothing wrong with it,” Duterte said.