Robredo, De Lima, Trillanes want me ousted — Duterte

President Rodrigo Duterte believes that Vice President Leni Robredo and Senators Leila de Lima and Antonio Trillanes IV want him out of the top post in government. 

"Look, prangka tayo. They want me ousted. Who's behind it? Itong si Trillanes. Sundalo, mas mabuti pa ang security guard dito... Sino ang isa? Si De Lima. Gusto niya na akong paalisin. Wala naman akong ginawang exhibition. Pangatlo, si Leni, natural kasi bakit pa siya maghihintay kung nandiyan na ang opportunity? 'Barilin nalang iyan si ano—' Look at the people behind," he told lawyers at a national convention organized by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) in Pasay City on Thursday night. 

The statement was made just a day before Duterte and Robredo were scheduled to attend the graduation rites of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA). 

Despite this, Duterte who is facing an impeachment complaint himself still discouraged the filing of impeachment complaints against the Robredo. 

"We've just had the elections. It's too early to be ousting people. Let Leni—alam mo hayaan mo siya. She also has to take a stand. I understand," he said. 

After meeting at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) graduation ceremony in Baguio City on March 12, the President had cleared the Vice President of involvement in the alleged destabilization plots against him. 

But in the past few days, Duterte had been saying that Robredo seemed to be in a hurry to take his post.

On Thursday, Robredo said her dissent against certain policies of Duterte does not mean she is after the presidency.

“Iyong ating pagpapahayag ng pagkontra sa mga polisiya ng gobyerno, hindi po ‘yun nangangahulugan na gusto nating agawin ang posisyon,” she said.

“Wala po tayong gano’n na pangarap. Ang gusto lamang natin ay mapakinggan ang ating mga boses. Ang gusto lang natin ay pakinggan ang ating mga hinaing para may pagbabagong magawa,” she added.

Former President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday denied allegations that the Liberal Party (LP) was involved in any plan to impeach Duterte or destabilize his administration.

Robredo and De Lima are members of the LP. 

Trillanes, who is a member of the Magdalo Party-list earlier said his party will not back down against Duterte despite his comments.

"Kahit na ano pang paninira ang sabihin nya laban sa grupo, hindi kami matitinag sa aming pinaglalaban," Trillanes said in a statement released Monday.

Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano on March 16 filed an impeachment complaint against Duterte, citing as grounds culpable violation of the Constitution, engaging in bribery, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and other high crimes. —BAP/KG, GMA News