LACSON CONFIRMS ‘MILITARY-BACKED PEOPLE POWER’ PLOT

SOME groups are reportedly trying to seek support from members of the uniformed services for a possible military-backed “people power revolution” amid the controversies involving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte – but such efforts are not likely to succeed, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Sunday.

Lacson said he received information indicating that some “retired officers” are trying to recruit support from within the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“There is definitely an attempt but this is outside the AFP. Those behind this could only recruit a few, if at all, from inside the AFP. My contacts in the Philippine National Police say there is no indication this ‘movement’ will snowball. But definitely there is an attempt, mostly by retired officers,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

Lacson served in the uniformed service from 1971 to 2001, in both the AFP and PNP. He served as PNP Chief from 1999 to 2001.

When asked about the chances of such a move succeeding, Lacson said there is none, because the AFP is a professional organization.

“So long as the AFP is professional and I would like to believe it is, there is no compelling reason to have a military junta or another People Power revolution,” he said.

Last year, Lacson rejected the idea of a military-backed “reset” or junta amid public outrage over corruption issues, saying such outrage must continue but not at the expense of the Constitution.

In rejecting unconstitutional changes of leadership, he pointed out that under the 1987 Constitution, the succession of leadership ends with the House Speaker. He said this was why he filed his “Designated Survivor” bill that extends the line of succession to include the most senior Senate and House member.