Imee on supposed ouster plot vs. Marcos: 'Walang katibayan'

Senator Imee Marcos on Wednesday dismissed the claim of former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV that there's an alleged ouster plot against her brother, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

"Wala akong alam. Wala akong nakikitang katibayan kundi ang kapraningan ng mga tao," Senator Marcos said in an ambush interview with reporters. 

(I am not aware of any plot. There's no proof, only paranoia.)

"Is there any proof? Provide the proof and then let’s have a look at it," she added.

In a media briefing on Tuesday, Trillanes claimed that PNP officials have been trying to recruit members from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

"Nababaduyan na ko sa mga chismis na ganyan. Lumang tugtugin na. Nakakasuya na. Unless may tunay na katibayan, wag tayo masyadong praning. Basta magtrabaho lang tayo," said Marcos.

(Those rumors are nothing new; they're quite corny. Until they can prove it, let's not be paranoid and just do our jobs.)

Trillanes refused to directly state his sources but said that he got the information from someone who is still active in the army. 

He also claimed that it was the "Duterte camp" who are behind the supposed ouster camp. 

"Ano na 'yan, kumbaga, it goes without saying. Hindi naman gagalaw itong mga ito pagka walang imprimatur ni Duterte, 'yung tatay. And makikita natin doon sa kanyang mga public pronouncements. These are statements meant to agitate, to incite sedition and rebellion, at 'yun na 'yun," Trillanes said on Tuesday.

(It goes without saying. They would not move without Duterte's imprimatur. And we can see it in his public pronouncements. These are statements meant to agitate, to incite sedition and rebellion.)

Sought for comment, Duterte's presidential spokesperson, Atty. Harry Roque said that the remarks were "hallucinations and hangover from his coup d'etat days."

The Philippine National Police (PNP) also said it has not received any information on the supposed plot.

"Wala po tayong na mo-monitor na sino man na aktibong pulis na involve allegedly diyan sa sinasabing destabilization plot. At wala po tayong na mo-monitor na destabilization plot," said PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo.

(We have not monitored any active police officer that is involved in the alleged destabilization plot. And we have not monitored any destabilization plot.) —VAL, GMA Integrated News