Alvarez seeks probe on alleged Goldberg’s plot to oust Duterte

United States Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg pays courtesy call to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte after the inaugural ceremony. PCCO PHOTO

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Tuesday called for an investigation into the alleged plot by former US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg to kick President Rodrigo Duterte out of Malacañang.

In a report on Tuesday by the Manila Times, Goldberg has allegedly left a “blueprint” for Duterte’s ouster or a “recommendation to the US State Department for the removal of the Philippine President from office.”

“If true, this has serious consequences not only on our country’s political stability but also on the economic and social fabric of our nation. It would also have grave repercussions on our relationship with the United States,” Alvarez said in a statement.

“In view of this serious allegation I am calling for a congressional investigation to find out if there is basis to this reported ouster plot against President Rodrigo Duterte,” he added.

Alvarez also added that at any such, the alleged ouster plot against Duterte accounts for a violation of the Philippine sovereignty.

“That is anathema to the gospel of democracy the US government, especially under the administration of President Obama, has been preaching to the world,” Alvarez said.

Among the strategies in the supposed Goldberg “blueprint” includes the political and economic isolation of the Philippines, blackmailing neighboring countries so they would turn against Duterte and reduce the trade with the country, and it is said to call on the US government to employ a socio-economic-political-diplomatic combination against to Duterte “to bring him to his knees and eventually remove him from office.”

“Removing him from office won’t be such a big thing for President Duterte. But I’m sure he would not stand idly when he sees our people suffering if our economy crumbles as a result of such US machinations,” Alvarez said.

 Duterte still popular

At Malacañang, Ernesto Abella, Duterte’s spokesperson, said the President still has the support of the people.

Abella said that the US State Department had already denied participation in a supposed plot to unseat the President.

READ: US: Duterte sparking distress around the world

“The President continues to enjoy the trust of the people and… (they) apparently appreciate what he’s doing,” Abella told a news briefing.

READ: Duterte’s excellent rating dips

He also pointed out that Goldberg himself purportedly admitted that ousting Mr. Duterte would be “difficult.”

Asked if he agreed with the former US ambassador’s assessment, Abella said: “I don’t have any opinion. I’m just a spokesperson. I don’t need to agree.”

Despite the spiraling drug killings in the country, Mr. Duterte has kept his popularity as he registered “excellent” ratings in recent surveys.