Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson revealed that several retired military officials once offered him a position in a proposed civilian-military junta should President Bongbong Marcos be removed from office.
Lacson said he immediately rejected the idea, calling it unconstitutional, illegal, and harmful to the country.
He made the disclosure in a radio interview on Sunday, after being asked about reports claiming San Miguel Corporation Chairman and CEO Ramon Ang was previously urged to lead such a junta.
“Sa akin nga may nag-uudyok sigehan ko raw kasi para mawala ‘yung presidente, bise presidente. Ang gusto civil-military junta,” he said.
“Mayroon pa ngang offer na maging part ako ng junta, ng council kaya nga dinededma ko,” he added.
Lacson said he understood the frustrations of some retired officers, noting their dismay over rampant corruption, especially in flood control projects.
“Maraming malikot ang isip kasi ‘pag ganitong mayroon crisis lalo pa nga’t napakatalamak ng katiwalian minsan hindi mo rin masisi ‘yung iba na mag-isip ng kung ano-ano. Extra-legal unconstitutional na ang iniisip nila siguro in their passion para mabago ‘yung sistema kasi naging systemic ang corruption,” he said.
He clarified that under the 1987 Constitution, the presidential line of succession ends with the House Speaker.
This, he explained, is why he filed his “Designated Survivor” bill to extend the succession line to include the most senior members of the Senate and the House of Representatives.