Digong: Who am I to replace BBM?

Former president Rodrigo Duterte said only "crazy people" would associate him with the supposed destabilization plot against the Marcos administration.

Duterte, over the weekend, refuted rumors that he had secretly met with certain police officers, soldiers, and politicians regarding President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s ouster.

Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV claimed earlier that those agitating current military personnel to overthrow the President were still connected to the Dutertes.

Duterte, the father of Vice President Sara Duterte, said he has "grown tired" of reports linking him to the destabilization plot against the President.

"Sino namang g****g police or pati military na makipag-meeting sa akin to destab (Who in their right mind — police or military — will meet with me to speak about destabilization against the current administration)? You must be crazy," Duterte said.

"Naging president na ako (I have been president). For what purpose: To place somebody else in place of (Marcos Jr.)? I'm comfortable with Marcos. Why should I replace him, and who am I to replace him at this time of my life?" he added.

Those who are circulating instability allegations, according to Duterte, are either "bulls******g around" or were motivated by "plain insecurity."

Duterte said he "does not want chaos" and urged the public to follow the Constitution. He added that change can happen through the democratic process, but not through bloody revolts or destabilization.

The President's father and namesake, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., was ousted in the 1986 People Power Revolution.

"Every time there is destabilization, or you break the process of democracy, you take a gamble. Destabilization is not the solution. Let the people decide. That is why we have elections. Let democracy work. Help democracy work," Duterte said.

Rumors about a destabilization plot against the Marcos administration surfaced in November 2023, with Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. denying any conspiracy or plot.

Retired military officer and former information and communications technology secretary Eliseo Rio denied that his organization TNTrio and the September Twenty-One Reform Movement were spreading destabilization rumors.

Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a newspaper column on 23 December 2023 that Duterte would not launch a coup to overthrow the Marcos regime despite having close ties with uniformed officers during his administration.

Meanwhile, Duterte announced he was giving up on running for an elective position in the midterm elections in 2025, shortly after hinting at a potential Senate run.

The 78-year-old former leader said he is "tired" and finds involvement in politics late in life "disgusting."

"I am telling you the truth, wala na ako (I'm done). Maski gusto ko man, pero hindi na kaya ng katawan ko (Even if I want to, my body can no longer handle it). Why do I have to make some pretensions here?" Duterte said.

"Ayoko na ng pulitika. Hindi naman ako nasusuka (I'm done with politics. It's not like I'm getting sick). I find it disgusting for me to still meddle in politics. Pagod na ako sa pulitika (I'm tired of politics). Count me out," he added.

The former president had said in November that if his daughter, Vice President Duterte, was impeached, he would be compelled to run for senator or vice president.