17 October 2017

‘Baseless accusations’

VP Leni: Talk of revolutionary gov’t, destab plots not helpful, further polarizes Pinoys

Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday said that threats to establish a “revolutionary government,” as a response to alleged “destabilization plots” against the administration were not helpful and contributed to increased polarization in the country.

VP Leni added that baseless pronouncements served to worsen the deepening divide between Filipinos of different political beliefs. She further noted that these threats raise concerns because they sow fear among citizens.

“Tingin ko hindi nakakatulong… hindi nakakatulong na magsabing mayroong destabilization. Hindi nakakatulong noong nagsabing magde-declare ng revolutionary government, kasi nagke-create ito ng fear among sa mga tao,” the Vice President told reporters on the sidelines of the first anniversary celebration for her office’s anti-poverty program, Angat Buhay, where she also led the launch of its livelihood arm, Angat Kabuhayan.

“At alam mo, iyong turuan, iyong paratang na walang basehan, lalo lang nagiging divisive, eh. Lalong napo-polarize iyong mga tao. Hindi iyon iyong kailangan natin ngayon. Ang kailangan natin ngayon magkaisa,” she added.

Asked to comment on claims of supposed “destabilization plots,” VP Leni dismissed these as baseless, especially those hurled against the former ruling Liberal Party, where she sits as chairperson and highest elected official.

“Tingin ko very unfair accusation iyon, kasi nakita niyo naman siguro na iyong lahat na oras namin at effort [ay nakatutok] sa pagtrabaho,” she said. “Walang basehan para sabihin na bahagi kami ng destabilization.”

“Sana hindi irresponsible iyong pagsasabi. Kung mayroong ganoong paratang, sana mayroong basehan na maayos… Kasi lalong nagpaparatang nang ganiyan, lalong hindi nagkakasundo-sundo, lalong gumugulo iyong sitwasyon,” she added.

“Sa akin lang, sa dami ng problema ng bansa natin ngayon, sana nagkakaisa tayo, eh. Dapat nagtutulungan. Hindi nakakatulong iyong irresponsible statements na ganiyan,” she went on.

VP Leni then reiterated the importance of recognizing constructive criticisms in the success of the administration.

“Kapag tayo ay nagki-criticize, hindi naman gustong sabihin noon gusto nating hindi magtagumpay iyong gobyerno. Kaya tayo nagki-criticize kasi kabaligtaran iyong gusto nating mangyari—gusto nating ipaalala na mayroong mga bagay na hindi tayo sang-ayon, pero hindi ko sasabihin na gusto nating hindi magtagumpay iyong administrasyon na ito,” she said.