Robredo: No such thing as Duterte ouster blueprint

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo said that she does not believe rumors that former United States Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg had left a "blueprint" to undermine President Rodrigo Duterte.

"Ako, hindi ako naniniwala na mayroong ganoon. Unang una, nagkausap kami ni Ambassador Goldberg noong nasa isang event, pangalawa nag-courtesy call siya sa opisina," Robredo said in a radio interview on Wednesday.

Robredo said that she and Goldberg only talked about bilateral relations between the Philippines and the US during their meeting.

The vice president added that she and Goldberg did not talk about Duterte during their previous meetings.

"Sa akin, walang ganoon. Paniniwala ko makakabuti sa Pilipinas na instead humingi tayong matanggal ang iyong pangulo, hingiin na lang natin sa pangulo na pakinggan ang ating hinaing," the vice president said.

Robredo also noted that it would not be good to call for the president's resignation every time there is an upheaval in the government.

"Ang gusto lang natin na sana makinig din si pangulo sa atin pero wala tayong pagnanais na tanggalin siya sa pwesto," Robredo said.

Earlier this week, Robredo said that she would no longer exert effort to explain herself to the chief executive.

The vice president made the statement after reports hat she was part of a plot to oust him.

“It’s saddening that he believed the reports he received because many knew that (they were) not true. It’s very easy for him to verify (the reports), why did he believe what is not true?” Robredo said.

Robredo stepped down as Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council secretary after Duterte ordered her to desist from attending all Cabinet meetings.