President Rodrigo Duterte. Richard Madelo, Malacanang Photo

MANILA- Cause-oriented group Tindig Pilipinas on Saturday criticized President Rodrigo Duterte for threatening to set up a revolutionary government, saying only a "paranoid and insecure little man" would feel the need to do so.

Tindig Pilipinas said the president's alleged paranoia is evident as seen in the drop in Duterte's approval ratings and in protests against the administration.

"President Duterte is losing his grip. Only a paranoid and insecure little man afraid of losing power will rationalize the need to impose a revolutionary government upon the people," the group said in a statement.

Duterte on Friday said he will set up a revolutionary government and declare all positions in government vacant if the country will descend into chaos amid what he believes are efforts by his political enemies to destabilize his administration.

The group alleged that Duterte is "playing for survival" amid the issues hounding his administration such as the P6.4-billion worth of shabu that slid past the Bureau of Customs, and the ongoing probe on the President's alleged hidden wealth.

"Like any abuser sensing that his victims are seeing him as the abuser that he is, he senses doom. He knows he is an empty can once he loses control. He knows his vulnerabilities," the group said.

"And so he plays his ultimate power game--the threat to annihilate our democracy. He is playing for survival. Let no one see this as anything else but weakness. There is nothing reformist, much less revolutionary in this," the group added.

Duterte had claimed that the elite may work for his ouster, citing his efforts to go after big companies such as Mighty Corp. and the Lucio Tan-led Philippine Airlines.

Duterte also alleged that the CIA was funding entities in the Philippines so that people will criticize his administration.

Duterte also earlier accused the communist rebels and the so-called “Dilawan,” a term used by Duterte allies and supporters for the opposition Liberal Party, of destabilizing his government.

Tindig Pilipinas meanwhile called on the public to reject the president's threat, saying it was only for Duterte's and his allies' interest.

"We call on all democratic forces within and outside the state to resist this move to subvert our nation for the interests of one man, his family and his cohorts," the group said.

The group also called on Duterte to sign a waiver that would open his bank accounts amid an ongoing investigation into his alleged hidden wealth.

"Pirma, hindi porma" was the chant of hundreds who gathered at University of the Philippines in Diliman.