SENATORS from the Liberal Party (LP) yesterday denied allegations that they were plotting to oust President Duterte and install Vice President Ma. Leonor Robredo instead.
Speaking on behalf of the LP, Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon said that the party “categorically denies” the allegation.
“That’s not true. We have not discussed any plot to change the President. We respect the mandate of our people,” Drilon told reporters in an interview.
He said the LP senators would definitely state opposition on various issues they might not agree with such as allowing the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos in the Libingan ng mga Bayani and death penalty.
LP senators, Drilon said, would also not be voting in favor for the imposition of death penalty citing flaws in the country’s justice system and belief that it would not deter crime.
“These are views as we express as a party has nothing to do with any plan to oust the President. We deny that categorically,” Drilon said.
He further pointed out that the LP senators even voted for Sen. Aquilino Martin Pimentel III as Senate President despite belonging to the same party as President Duterte himself, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
Sen. Leila de Lima also denied the allegation noting that the LP senators were simply weighing in on issues of deep public interest.
De Lima also denied allegations that they were doing it to benefit from political figures or promote political agenda.
“The President seems to be forgetting that this is a free country, where all citizens have the right–nay the sacred duty–to speak up about serious issues affecting our nation,” de Lima said.
She said that labeling people as “yellow” (the color associated with the LP) should not prevent them of their rights and duties as citizens.
“We, as much as everyone else in this nation, are the President’s people–when we speak, should he not listen to us, instead of silencing us or hurling unfounded and paranoid accusations against us?” she said.
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