Leni denies discussing Rody ouster with UN

MANILA, Philippines - The camp of Vice President Leni Robredo dismissed yesterday speculation that she had a meeting with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in Ecuador to seek the global body’s support to unseat President Duterte.

Georgina Ann Hernandez, Robredo’s spokesperson, made the statement in reaction to social media posts saying Robredo traveled to Ecuador from Oct. 15 to 19 to seek Ban’s blessing to oust Duterte.

The President had earlier cursed the UN official for criticizing his war on drugs.

Hernandez said Robredo flew to Quito, Ecuador as head of the Philippine delegation for the UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development.

Robredo chairs the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.

“She had only a picture taken with him (Ban)… They had small talk, it was a very informal meeting,” Hernandez said.

Robredo’s photo with Ban was posted on her official Facebook account.

Hernandez said Robredo was “saddened” that some people resort to spreading false information, especially through social media.

Robredo has repeatedly expressed her support for Duterte and his administration.

Hernandez, meanwhile, said the Vice President remains focused on her job in the housing sector and in helping Filipinos affected by Typhoon Lawin.

“We just want to focus on our job,” she said.

Duterte’s ally, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, had accused the Liberal Party, which is headed by Robredo, of attempting to oust Duterte using the issue of extrajudicial killings.

Cayetano said an obvious beneficiary would be Robredo, who would take over as president if Duterte is ousted.