Palace washes hands of Duterte ouster list

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday distanced itself from the list of individuals and groups allegedly plotting to oust President Duterte.

Presidential son and former Davao City vice mayor Paolo Duterte linked politicians, bishops, former Cabinet members, journalists, civil society leaders and companies in the supposed ouster plot in an online post over the weekend. 

Among those included in the list were Vice President Leni Robredo, former vice president Jejomar Binay, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, former chief justice Hilario Davide, Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, opposition Sens. Leila de Lima and Risa Hontiveros, former Cabinet members Corazon Soliman, Florencio Abad, Paquito Ochoa, Cesar Purisima and former police chief Alan Purisima.

Also on the list were Catholic bishops Broderick Pabillo, Leo Drona, Antonio Tobias, Deogracias Iñiguez, Pablo David and journalists Maria Ressa, Ellen Tordesillas and Ed Lingao.

Bishop Julio Xavier Labayen, who died two years ago, was also on the list of alleged anti-Duterte plotters.

Robredo has denied that she is seeking to overthrow Duterte and has described the release of the unverified list as “irresponsible.”  

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Duterte administration had nothing to do with the list. 

“We are not privy to the list issued by the former vice mayor. Number two, the President always respects the freedom of expression. And the vice mayor – then – may have some reasons for issuing such a list, we do not know,” Panelo said.