President Duterte is no Emperor Nero who let Rome burn, Solicitor General Jose Calida said yesterday in defending the Chief Executive’s power to declare Martial Law outside the parameters set by the Constitution.
The President “cares so much” for the country and would act in the nation’s interest if faced with “a clear and present danger” such as breakdown of law and order, according to Calida.
“When it is already the life of the country that is at stake, the lives of citizens of this country, the President will not stand by just like Nero and let Rome burn,” Calida in a Palace press conference.
“If it is really necessary, the fate of our country hangs on the balance and nobody moves, under the Constitution, the President is the one who executes the law,” he added.
Calida hinted the President could proceed with the Martial Law proclamation even if the Supreme Court is against it if the welfare of the people is on the line.
“When there is really a clear and present danger to our country and nobody will help the President do his job as the father of the nation, then he will not allow his family so to speak, us Filipinos, to suffer because of the inability or unwillingness of certain functionaries to do what is right for the country,” he said.
Citing an example, he said the President would neither allow the proliferation of illegal drugs and let lawlessness rule the country.
“If the branches of the government will not help him, what will he do? Will he wash his hands like Pontius Pilate? If you know him, he will act and he will act for the greater interest of the Filipino people,” he added.
(Genalyn D. Kabiling)