No people power, no ouster because of PRRD's diehard, fearless supporters — Ateneo School of Gov’t dean

“Unlike the supporters of President Estrada in 2001, who were not organized, Duterte’s followers will fight back."

This was the statement of Tony La Viña in his Manila Standard column where he said that the plans to impeach President Rodrigo Duterte will not happen.

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Viña, the dean emeritus of the Ateneo School of Government said the current president cannot be ousted due to his fearless die-hard supporters.

"Duterte is their hero," he said.

He said there will be no repeat of 1986 People Power Revolution because his reporters won’t take the attempt sitting down.

La Vina said that the people of the Philippines should be a partner of the current government to pursue the goal of the administration.

"We must be all principled partners in the peace process. I have praised many of the government officials involved in that process. We should all be principled partners in the anti-poverty andsocial justice programs of the Duterte government. Let’s collaborate with the government in addressing the transportation crisis. Citizens must participate actively in the planning and implementation of inclusive mobility programs that would move people better," he told.

For the dean emeritus, the 1986 EDSA People Power should not happen because its repeat, which removed Estrada in 2001, just resulted “in perceptions of illegitimacy and bad governance for the next 10 years.”

"We should not repeat that experience," he said.

Viña however said President has a problem and that people need to help him. "He is in the course of self-destruction," he said.

"If he can only listen… listen to other people, and not talk too much, earn friends instead of enemies, Duterte can become the greatest President of the Philippines,” Viña ended.