Kiko, Bam to Duterte admin: Focus on Marawi rehab instead of ‘fake’ destab claims

The Duterte administration should focus on rehabilitating Marawi City instead of dwelling on “baseless” destabilization claims, two opposition senators said Tuesday.

In a statement, Senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV of the Liberal Party (LP) said bringing normalcy back to Marawi should now be the top priority of the government.

“The government should make rehabilitation of Marawi City a top priority when the fighting stops instead of dwelling on baseless destabilization reports,” Pangilinan said.

“The government's resources are wasted over fake-news-based destabilization. It would be better if time is spent on something that will help the country, not cause more disruption. More income and jobs for the people, not more power to the presidency,” he added.

Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to declare a revolutionary government amid supposed attempts by his critics to destabilize his administration.

Aquino said Duterte should instead “promote political stability” by avoiding making such statements, especially when both the Department of National Defense (DND) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have denied any knowledge on supposed ouster plots against the President.

“Destabilization and threats of a revolutionary government will only weaken our democracy, our economy, and our fight against poverty,” Aquino said.

Aquino, meanwhile, expressed full support behind efforts to rehabilitate Marawi City. The provincial capital of Lanao del Sur was attacked by the Maute group last May 23.

“We will fully support all efforts by the government to bring normalcy back to Marawi City and restore the city from the ravages of the fighting to its full glory,” he said.

On Monday, authorities confirmed the death of top Marawi siege leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute. —ALG, GMA News