Liberal Party says no 'yellow' plot to oust Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — The Liberal Party on Thursday defended itself anew from President Rodrigo Duterte's accusations that is is launching an ouster plan to install its member, Vice President Leni Robredo, in the presidency.

“Naninindigan lang tayo sa ilang mga isyu pero ang mga paninindigan na ito'y 'di mauuwi sa planong patalsikin ang gobyerno,” LP interim president Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said in a radio interview over dzBB.

“Oo mayroon kaming mga batikos, may puna pero hindi ibig sabihin sa pagpupuna, paninindigan e gusto na nating tanggalin sa pagka-pangulo ang ating pangulo,” he added.

Pangilinan was reacting to Duterte’s recent statement that the “yellows,” referring to the official color of the LP, wanted him out because it cannot accept defeat. The party, which ruled under the previous Aquino administration, also denied the impeachment plot allegations made by Duterte last September.

READ: ‘Yellows’ want me out, says Duterte

Pangilinan said opposing point of views are normal in a democracy, but the LP maintains that it does not disagree with Duterte in all his policies.

“Sana maunawaan ng ating presidente, prinsipyo rin po ang pinag-uusapan dito kapag kami ay nag-rally o sumama sa rally o kaya po tinututulan ang ilang patakaran,” the senator said.

Pangilinan also defended Robredo from Duterte’s insinuations that she gearing for his ouster, saying it is not her style to ease out a leader.

“Hindi ho 'yan gahaman sa puwesto. Ayaw nga niyan tumakbo e,” he added.

As LP’s interim president, Pangilinan said he would not allow an ouster plot against Duterte. He then slammed social media for spreading false information.

Last Sunday, Robredo announced she is resigning from Duterte’s Cabinet after baring that she was asked by the president to stop attending Cabinet meetings. She formally stepped down last Monday from the housing body she headed, while revealing that there is a plan to steal the vice presidency.

Defeated vice presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has a pending electoral protest case before the Supreme Court, acting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, accusing Robredo's camp of fraud.

The Palace said. meanwhile, that Duterte ordered Robredo to desist from joining meetings because of their “irreconcilable differences.”