Vice President Leni Robredo on Wednesday said she does not believe that a "blueprint" exists supposedly detailing a plot to remove President Rodrigo Duterte from power.
"Ako, hindi ako naniniwala na mayroong ganoon," she told reporters during her visit to Tiwi, Albay, referring to the blueprint that was reportedly left behind by former US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg.
The blueprint, according to a report by the Manila Times citing document from a "highly placed source," mentions several strategies for Duterte's ouster, including deepening ties with the opposition.
The US Embassy had already denied the existence of the alleged blueprint. Malacañang, meanwhile, pointed out that Duterte, a vocal critic of the United States, continues to enjoy the trust of the Filipino people.
In the interview, Robredo denied talking to Goldberg about Duterte.
"Unang una, nagkausap kami ni Ambassador Goldberg noong isang event, pangalawa nag-courtesy call siya sa opisina. Wala kaming pinag-usapan tungkol kay Pangulo. Iyong pinag-usapan namin ay iyong bilateral relations ng US at ng Pilipinas," she said.
Robredo, who recently resigned from the President's Cabinet, also reiterated that another upheaval may only cause more turmoil for the country.
Following her exit from Duterte's Cabinet, Robredo said she was willing to be a "unifying force" to help amplify the voices of those critical of the administration's policy, but with the hopes that Duterte will hear them out.
"Paniniwala ko makakabuti sa Pilipinas na instead na humingi tayong matanggal iyong Pangulo, hingiin na lang natin sa Pangulo na pakinggan ang ating hinain," she said. "Hindi rin makakabuti na bawat upheaval hinihingi natin na matanggal ang pangulo kasi galing na tayo sa ganoon."
"Ang gusto lang natin na sana makinig din si Pangulo sa atin, pero wala tayong pagnanais na tanggalin siya sa puwesto," she added.
'LP not strong'
During the interview, Robredo was also asked to comment on alleged links of the Liberal Party to the stabbing of high-profile inmate Jaybee Sebastian.
This was after Justice Sec. Vitaliano Aguirre said that the inmate who stabbed Sebastian cited Sens. Leila de Lima, an LP member, and Antonio Trillanes IV in his affidavit about the incident.
Robredo, the highest elected official of the party, currently sits as its interim chairman pending formal discussions over its leadership.
She belied claims that LP is powerful at this point, saying many of its members had moved to Duterte's party, PDP-Laban. LP itself joined the supermajority in Congress, led by the President's allies.
"Tingin ko halata naman na hindi malakas iyong Liberal Party, ilan na lang ba kami ngayon? Ang biruan 'di ba ay isang Volkswagen na lang iyong Liberal Party," she said.
"Siguro malakas iyong partido noong pangulo pa si Pangulong [Benigno] Aquino [III], pero ngayon kaunti na lang. Nandoon pa lang kami sa stage na mag-uusap ulit, pag-uusapan kung anong direksyon patutunguhan ang partido, pero hindi pa nag-uusap bilang partido. Hindi ako naniniwala na malakas na ganoon," she added.
"Ako, hindi ako naniniwala na mayroong ganoon," she told reporters during her visit to Tiwi, Albay, referring to the blueprint that was reportedly left behind by former US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg.
The blueprint, according to a report by the Manila Times citing document from a "highly placed source," mentions several strategies for Duterte's ouster, including deepening ties with the opposition.
The US Embassy had already denied the existence of the alleged blueprint. Malacañang, meanwhile, pointed out that Duterte, a vocal critic of the United States, continues to enjoy the trust of the Filipino people.
In the interview, Robredo denied talking to Goldberg about Duterte.
"Unang una, nagkausap kami ni Ambassador Goldberg noong isang event, pangalawa nag-courtesy call siya sa opisina. Wala kaming pinag-usapan tungkol kay Pangulo. Iyong pinag-usapan namin ay iyong bilateral relations ng US at ng Pilipinas," she said.
Robredo, who recently resigned from the President's Cabinet, also reiterated that another upheaval may only cause more turmoil for the country.
Following her exit from Duterte's Cabinet, Robredo said she was willing to be a "unifying force" to help amplify the voices of those critical of the administration's policy, but with the hopes that Duterte will hear them out.
"Paniniwala ko makakabuti sa Pilipinas na instead na humingi tayong matanggal iyong Pangulo, hingiin na lang natin sa Pangulo na pakinggan ang ating hinain," she said. "Hindi rin makakabuti na bawat upheaval hinihingi natin na matanggal ang pangulo kasi galing na tayo sa ganoon."
"Ang gusto lang natin na sana makinig din si Pangulo sa atin, pero wala tayong pagnanais na tanggalin siya sa puwesto," she added.
'LP not strong'
During the interview, Robredo was also asked to comment on alleged links of the Liberal Party to the stabbing of high-profile inmate Jaybee Sebastian.
This was after Justice Sec. Vitaliano Aguirre said that the inmate who stabbed Sebastian cited Sens. Leila de Lima, an LP member, and Antonio Trillanes IV in his affidavit about the incident.
Robredo, the highest elected official of the party, currently sits as its interim chairman pending formal discussions over its leadership.
She belied claims that LP is powerful at this point, saying many of its members had moved to Duterte's party, PDP-Laban. LP itself joined the supermajority in Congress, led by the President's allies.
"Tingin ko halata naman na hindi malakas iyong Liberal Party, ilan na lang ba kami ngayon? Ang biruan 'di ba ay isang Volkswagen na lang iyong Liberal Party," she said.
"Siguro malakas iyong partido noong pangulo pa si Pangulong [Benigno] Aquino [III], pero ngayon kaunti na lang. Nandoon pa lang kami sa stage na mag-uusap ulit, pag-uusapan kung anong direksyon patutunguhan ang partido, pero hindi pa nag-uusap bilang partido. Hindi ako naniniwala na malakas na ganoon," she added.
Source: gmanetwork
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