Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday accused Malacañang and the camps of presidential candidates Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and Sen. Grace Poe of conspiracy to bring down rival Rodrigo Duterte.
“I am confirming to you that there is a conspiracy between the Palace, Grace Poe, Mar Roxas, their supporters and some groups and of course with the participation of some people in the management of a network,” Cayetano told reporters in a press briefing.
Citing what he said were reliable sources, Cayetano said Malacañang met with representatives from the camps of Poe and Roxas to convince one of them to concede. The meeting, however, was unsuccessful because no one wanted to withdraw from the race.
“I have known about the about the meetings of Malacañang. That is Malacañang-sponsored between Grace Poe and Mar Roxas,” he said.
The senator said Malacañang was alarmed because the series of negative attacks against Duterte did not affect his ratings.
On Thursday, a television ad was aired on ABS-CBN, showing minors asking the public if Duterte, known for his profanity-laced speeches, among others, was a good choice for president.
Cayetano said the Palace and the camps of Poe and Roxas were behind the negative advertisement.
The TV ad was paid for by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, who Cayetano said was an attack dog of Duterte’s rivals.
Responding to Cayetano’s accusations, Malacañang said the senator’s claims were baseless.
“There is no truth and no concrete basis to the allegations of Senator Cayetano,” Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said in statement.
“The government is focused on the goal of conducting elections that is clean and has integrity.”
Cayetano responded to this by saying, “tell it to the Marines.” RC/rga
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