Robredo says she is not involved in protest to oust Duterte

The Vice President also expresses her support for public demonstrations as part of the people’s constitutional right and freedom of expression. (File Photo: VP Leni Robredo/Facebook)

Vice President Leni Robredo says that while in support of public protests as a constitutional right of the people, she clarified that she has no relation to the oust President Rodrigo Duterte calls by protesters who will organize a mobilization on Saturday, February 22.

Releasing a statement on her official social media on Thursday, Robredo clarified that she has no relation to certain groups who are demanding the removal of the President in the office.

“Nakarating po sa atin ang mga ulat ukol sa napipintong pagtitipon ng mga mamamayan sa ika-22 ng Pebrero (We’ve received reports of a planned protest organized by citizens on February 22),” the Office of the Vice President stated.

“Hayagan ko pong sinasabi: Hindi ako bahagi ng anumang panawagang bumaba sa puwesto si Pangulong Duterte. (I openly declare that I am not part of any call for President Duterte to step down),” clarified Robredo, who also called on the public officials to fulfill their duties properly.

The Vice President also expressed her support for public demonstrations as part of the people’s constitutional right and freedom of expression.

“Mariin ang pagkakasaad sa ating Konstitusyon: Sagrado ang karapatan ng mamamayang magtipon at ipahayag ang kanilang mga saloobin (It is clearly enshrined in our Constitution: The people’s rights to freedom of assembly and expression are sacred.),” she said.

However, the Vice President stressed that although protests are constitutional rights, public officials must still be held accountable through the rule of law.

“Gayunpaman, nais ko ring bigyang-diin: Kailangang maging buo ang katapatan natin sa mga institusyon at sa batas. Dapat idaan ang pagpapahayag ng mga hinaing at pagpapanagot sa ating mga pinuno sa mga prosesong alinsunod sa Saligang Batas (Nonetheless, I would like to emphasize that we need to abide by our institutions and the law. Expressing our thoughts and holding our officials accountable should be aligned with the Constitution.),” Robredo said.

The protest was organized by a group called “Bunyog” that calls for the President to resign and will be set ahead of the commemoration of the EDSA People Power Revolution I. There is no identification of politicians or prominent personalities behind the said group.