MANILA – Malacañang on Tuesday cleared Vice President Leni Robredo of involvement in the supposed plot to oust President Rodrigo Duterte even as the chief executive himself tagged her political party in the alleged plan.
Earlier in the day Robredo, chairwoman of the Liberal Party, took exception to claims by the military of a “Red October” plan to remove Duterte, saying the allegations were “absolutely ridiculous” and “laughable if they were not so dangerous.”
Branding critics as criminals was the same “draconian tactic” employed by the martial law regime under the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos “to strip the opposition of its voice,” Robredo said.
Responding to Robredo’s statement, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque told a news conference at the Palace: “As far as VP Leni is concerned, that’s a fair statement, because as far I know, she was not amongst those specifically named to be part of the conspiracy.”
“She is after all the second-highest elected official. She took an oath to support the Constitution and she should not and she’s expected not to support any unconstitutional means to remove the President,” Roque added.
Brigadier General Antonio Parlade, Armed Forces of the Philippines deputy chief of staff for operations, said the “Red October” ouster plan against Duterte remains even if the supposed Sept. 21 plot did not push through.
Parlade said the opposition coalition Tindig Pilipinas nearly forged an alliance for the Sept. 21 plot but begged off upon learning that communist leaders were behind the plan.
Duterte had said the Communist Party of the Philippines, the political opposition including the LP and the Magdalo group of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV were plotting to remove him as president.
The groups have since denied the President’s claim.
Duterte himself expressed doubt that the ouster plot would amount to anything without the support of the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police.
Malacañang said on Monday that a “people power” will not work on Duterte because the chief executive had the people’s mandate to serve until 2022. (GMA News)
