Robredo: No LP plot to oust Duterte

Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo. PHOTO from Leni Robredo Media Bureau

Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo stood firm that the Liberal Party is not plotting a move to impeach President Rodrigo Duterte.

“There are no moves from the Liberal Party to unseat the President,” Robredo said in a statement to the media on Tuesday.

READ: Duterte accuses LP of plotting to oust him

Party member Robredo said she plans to talk to Duterte to assure him of the LP’s support for his reform efforts.

“I plan to clarify this with the President to clear the misinformation and assure him of the party’s commitment to the reforms for our Filipino people,” she said.

The Vice President stressed that the leadership of the erstwhile ruling party has been “consistently demonstrating” support for the Duterte administration.

“Members of the party coalesced with the majority in the House and the Senate. We’ve offered the anti-poverty programs and policies that I’ve been pushing for to complement the government’s priorities on poverty alleviation. We’ve been coordinating with the relevant government agencies so that our office can help in the rehabilitation effort that needs to accompany the campaign against illegal drugs,” she added.

By default, Robredo, who ran for vice president under the LP-backed “Daang Matuwid” coalition, should take over the chairmanship of the party being its highest elected member but she had repeatedly declined the post, adding that she has “too much” in her hands as VP.

Robredo joined the LP in 2013, when she ran for Camarines Sur representative.

LP Vice Chair Senate President Pro Tempore Franklin Drilon also denied Duterte’s claim.

READ: Drilon: LP not part of any ouster moves vs Duterte

“We have not met on this and we deny that we are part of such plot if indeed such plot exists. The Liberal Party has nothing to do with it,” the senator added.

Without directly mentioning the LP, Duterte on Monday accused “yellow” forces of mounting moves to impeach him by highlighting the issue of human rights violations under his administration.

“Let’s not fool ourselves. Do you know who’s behind this? It’s the yellow,” the President said, referring to the LP’s political color./rga