Duterte clears Robredo of involvement in 'destabilization' plot

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday cleared Vice President Leni Robredo of involvement in supposed destabilization plots against his administration.

Duterte made the pronouncement in a two-hour press conference in Malacañang a day after his first public appearance with Robredo at the graduation rites of the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City.

"Hindi ko sabihin kasali Leni. I don't want to drag Leni," he said.

In the same press conference, Duterte had claimed that some mining companies are funding the "opposite side." He had previously tagged the Liberal Party, of which Robredo is a member, as behind ouster plots against his administration.

Last December, Robredo resigned as Duterte's housing czar after she was barred from attending Cabinet meetings. Duterte had accused Robredo of attending protest actions meant to oust him, something that she has denied.

Prior to Sunday's event, the two met for the first time following Robredo's departure in January when the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) was convened. —JST, GMA News