Then President Rodrigo Duterte delivering an address in Matina, Davao City on Aug. 30, 2021. Simeon Celi, Presidential Photo/file 

An analyst has expressed dismay over the surprising call of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for Mindanao to secede from the Philippines.

 "Nakakakilabot pakinggan 'yan sa dating presidente kasi bago siya naging presidente nung 2016, nagagawa po siya ng kaniyang sumpa na protektahan po ang sambayanang Pilipinas," International Studies Professor Renato de Castro said. 

Bangsamoro government rejects Duterte's 'Mindanao republic' proposal

De Castro highlighted the importance of maintaining consistency in one's principles, especially when holding the highest office in the land. 

"Ngayong hindi na siya presidente sasabihin niyang...mag-secede ang Mindanao hindi ko lubos maisip na isang dating presidente i-advocate yan. Sinumpa niya 'yan nung bago pa siya maging presidente dapat yan panindigan niya hanggang kaniyang huling hininga," he said.

Legal experts reject Duterte's call for secession of Mindanao

He echoed statements from legal experts and lawmakers who thumbed down Duterte’s plan to campaign for the separation of Mindanao from the Philippines.

Duterte earlier announced that he has already instructed Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez — House speaker from 2016 to 2108 — to start soliciting signatures for that purpose.

However, there is no mechanism in the 1987 Constitution for any part of the Philippines to secede from the republic. It authorizes the creation of autonomous region only "in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras."

"It is a very, it’s tricky road. Legally, we cannot declare an area of the Philippines separate from the Republic of the Philippines so iyan is a crime no, against public order," Atty. Ernesto Neri, a law professor, said.

Senators frown at Duterte's 'plan' to 'secede' Mindanao from PH

Another law professor, Atty. Mike Tiu, said secession is not allowed under the current Philippine Constitution. 

“Dahil naka-define ang ating national territory sa Article 1, hindi pwedeng mabawasan iyon, kasama siya sa soberanya,” Tiu said. 

“The general rule still is kailangan pahintulutan ng bansa na may humiwalay sa kanya bago siya maging posible, hindi siya legally possible under the Philippine Constitution,” Tiu added.