Ex-president Duterte's coup hint 'seditious, totally uncalled for' — DOJ exec

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) dismissed on Wednesday claims by former president Rodrigo Duterte that the country was experiencing «fractured governance» but warned that his remarks were potentially seditious and unfounded.

In an interview, DOJ Undersecretary Jesse Hermogenes Andres criticized Duterte's pronouncements, which suggested that military intervention might be necessary to address alleged governance issues.

Andres asserted that such statements undermined the country's democratic institutions and the functioning government.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE

«It is a great disservice to the country and an insult to the working bureaucracy for the former president to portray the government as if it is no longer delivering socio-economic assistance, health services, police protection, judicial recourse, and other services of a fully functioning democracy,» Andres said.

He further warned that any attempt to provoke military involvement in civil governance was not only «totally uncalled for» but also could constitute sedition.

«The military has no direct role in civil governance,» Andres emphasized, adding that only the Supreme Court has the authority to rule on the legality of executive and legislative actions.

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Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla echoed Andres' sentiments, reassuring the public that the DOJ remained steadfast in safeguarding national security and upholding the rule of law.

«The DOJ will never back down against insurgency or any form of lawlessness and will forever remain committed to protecting not only the Chief Executive but the entire Filipino nation as well,» Remulla said.

The remarks come in response to Duterte's recent comments, which have sparked concerns about potential destabilizing effects on the country's governance and public trust in democratic institutions.