MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang has downplayed a warning by presidential bet Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III that there will be a people power revolt if he loses in the election.
In fact, Presidential Legal Counsel Raul Victorino said what Aquino warns about is against the law.
"You don't have to be a lawyer to consider civil disobedience as not legal. We have duly constituted authority and governance must be at play," he said.
Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza also hinted he doubts Aquino can lead an uprising.
"Political statements yan, and I don't want to guess him. Your guess is as good as mine," Mendoza said.
But still, Mendoza said the government is ready to counter any unrest.
"If ever it comes, then government also has to do some contingency, and also make sure that peace is maintained," he said.
But Aquino said people do not need to be called to the streets if there is massive cheating as they would go on their own.
"Palagay ko, tao ang naglalabasan, tao ang nagtulak sa kampanya, tao ang magdedesisyon kung saan dadaan," he said.
Malacañang also reacted to the negative campaigning by candidates.
"The election is supposed to be a demonstration of how they are going to lead, I mean, you don't lead by destroying reputations," Mendoza said.
But Aquino and his running mate Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas II said they have been victims of negative attacks.
Aquino also refused to respond to calls by his rival Sen. Manny Villar to undergo a psychiatric test saying the allegations come from fake documents.
"Pag mayroon ho bang nanakawan ng cellphone, siya ba dapat magpaliwanag bakit siya nanakawan ng cellphone?" he said.
The LP tandem added they expect the mudslinging to intensify as election day nears.