MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte's warning that he would declare a revolutionary government was another "diversionary tactic" to veer the public's attention away from the government's questionable deals with China, opposition candidates said Friday.

Duterte earlier said he would declare a revolutionary government and the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus after Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon told him to be careful when reviewing agreements with China.

"Ang problema lang kasi kay Presidente, 'pag may issue na siya ang nababalikan o nadadawit ang pamilya Duterte sa ilegal na droga, dinadaan sa pananakot para ma-divert ang atensyon ng taumbayan," Magdalo Party-list representative and senatorial candidate Gary Alejano said in a statement.

(The problem with the President, when there is an issue hounding him or when the Duterte family is linked to illegal drugs, he resorts to threats to divert the public's attention.)

The chief executive should not lose his cool, human rights lawyer Jose Manuel "Chel" Diokno said, noting that declaring a revolutionary government is unconstitutional.

"Ang payo ko sa kaniya, wag naman siyang mapikon, wag mainit ang ulo, Chel (chill) lang sya," Diokno said in jest as he used his name to complete the pun.

(My advice for him is not to lose his temper, don't lose your cool, just chill.)

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