MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang is conducting a probe on the controversy that shows the purported plot of alleged Filipino-American supporters of Vice President Leni Robredo to destroy the image and eventually unseat President Rodrigo Duterte as well as to discredit former Senator Bongbong Marcos.
Over the weekend, “LeniLeaks,” a series of email exchanges between members of a group of backers of Robredo and the Liberal Party which showed the reported plan to oust Duterte, trended on social media. Social media personality Sass Rogando Sasot allegedly discovered it after stumbling on a Yahoo group called “Global Filipino Diaspora Council” (GFDC).
According to Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. and online forensics experts are verifying these reports. Andanar noted that Inquirer columnist Randy David, who was among those mentioned in the conversation, has denied being part of the said plot.
In his radio interview with DZMM, Andanar said: “Number one order of the day is to check the veracity of the document; kung ito ba talaga ay bonafide Yahoo conversation, at number two, kung bonafide siya, kung ito ba talagang personalities ay kasama nga, kung sila ba talaga iyun.”
Andanar added that online forensic experts, with the help of Yahoo, will investigate the matter.
Although Andanar said he will not take the matter lightly, he is considering the possibility that Robredo may have no hand in the apparent ouster plan since she was not in the conversation thread.
Robredo, who has repeatedly denied joining any movement to unseat Duterte, is yet to issue a statement about it.
LeniLeaks: An expression of freedom of expression
Two members of the Liberal Party at the House of Representatives claimed that the so-called “LeniLeaks” is only an expression of the freedom of expression.
"While some of the emails may suggest the resignation of Duterte for an erratic decision favoring the burial of the late dictator Marcos in the Libingan ng mga Bayani and for failure to solve the drug menace, they express honest opinions and do not recommend any radical action or upheaval to pre-terminate Duterte’s incumbency," Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said.
Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat called “LeniLeaks” as a “figment of a scheming mind.” He believes that the issue is not about preventing an ouster but a scheme for “entrenchment of power.”
--Mini, The Summit Express
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| Vice President Leni Robredo's courtesy visit to President Rodrigo Duterte in July. Photo Credit: Twitter/Leni Robredo |
According to Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. and online forensics experts are verifying these reports. Andanar noted that Inquirer columnist Randy David, who was among those mentioned in the conversation, has denied being part of the said plot.
In his radio interview with DZMM, Andanar said: “Number one order of the day is to check the veracity of the document; kung ito ba talaga ay bonafide Yahoo conversation, at number two, kung bonafide siya, kung ito ba talagang personalities ay kasama nga, kung sila ba talaga iyun.”
Andanar added that online forensic experts, with the help of Yahoo, will investigate the matter.
Although Andanar said he will not take the matter lightly, he is considering the possibility that Robredo may have no hand in the apparent ouster plan since she was not in the conversation thread.
Robredo, who has repeatedly denied joining any movement to unseat Duterte, is yet to issue a statement about it.
LeniLeaks: An expression of freedom of expression
Two members of the Liberal Party at the House of Representatives claimed that the so-called “LeniLeaks” is only an expression of the freedom of expression.
"While some of the emails may suggest the resignation of Duterte for an erratic decision favoring the burial of the late dictator Marcos in the Libingan ng mga Bayani and for failure to solve the drug menace, they express honest opinions and do not recommend any radical action or upheaval to pre-terminate Duterte’s incumbency," Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said.
Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat called “LeniLeaks” as a “figment of a scheming mind.” He believes that the issue is not about preventing an ouster but a scheme for “entrenchment of power.”
--Mini, The Summit Express
