The brazen call of former president Rodrigo Duterte for the Armed Forces of the Philippines to overthrow the government is “unacceptable.”

“Hindi katanggap-tanggap ang marahas na pang-aagaw ng kapangyarihan upang madaling maluklok bilang Pangulo sa pamamagitan ng pagpaslang, panggugulo at pag-alsa,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Maghintay kayo sa tamang panahon, sumunod sa tamang pamamaraan,” he said.

Bersamin made the remarks following the former president’s call on the military to betray the Constitution and withdraw their support to the present administration.

Bersamin reiterated the administration will not shirk its sworn duties to govern and manage the Philippines based on the Constitution and the rule of law.

Bersamin said the Marcos administration will “defend its legacy before the Filipino people only by lawful means.”

“The state will act resolutely to go against all unlawful attempts and challenge,” he added.

Duterte’s call to unseat President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is a selfish move to allow his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, to take over, Bersamin said.

He called on the former president to respect the Constitution.

“No motive is more selfish than calling for a sitting president to be overthrown so that your daughter can take over. And he will go to great and evil lengths, such as insulting our professional armed forces by asking them to betray their oath, for his plan to succeed,” he said.

“The former president should respect the Constitution, not disobey it. He should desist from being as irresponsible as he has become,” he said.

“Nakakagulat ang garapalang panawagan ni dating Pangulong Duterte sa ating sandatahang lakas na maglunsad ng kudeta laban kay Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,” he added. | PND