Filtered By: Topstories
News

Palace clears Robredo in Red October ouster plot vs. Duterte


Malacañang on Tuesday cleared Vice President Leni Robredo of involvement in a 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, chairperson of the former ruling 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."

She also said branding critics as criminals was the same "draconian tactic" employed by the Martial Law regime under the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos "to strip the opposition of its voice."

Responding to Robredo's statement, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said at a news conference in Malacañang: "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 September 21 plot did not push through.

Parlade said the opposition coalition Tindig Pilipinas nearly forged an alliance for the September 21 plot, but begged off after finding out that communist leaders were behind the plan.

Duterte had said the Communist Party of the Philippines, political opposition including the LP, and the Magdalo group of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV were plotting to remove him the presidency.

The groups have since denied the President's claim.

The President himself expressed doubt that the ouster plot would amount to anything without the support of AFP and PNP.

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. — RSJ, GMA News

LOADING CONTENT