No Rody ouster plot – Lewis

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-American philanthropist Loida Nicolas-Lewis denied yesterday any involvement in an alleged plot to oust President Duterte.

Lewis was earlier implicated in a purported plot to force Duterte’s resignation and pave the way for Vice President Leni Robredo to take over the government.

“I strongly deny being involved in any plot against President Duterte. It is not true as Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre said yesterday that Vice President Robredo and Sen. Leila de Lima stayed in my home when they visited the US. I have no contact with them at all,” said Lewis, who is a native of Bicol like Robredo.

“I have called on the President to resign after he himself said he would if he didn’t solve the drug problem in six months. That is what I believe,” Lewis said in a message to The STAR.

Robredo had also denied involvement in any plot against Duterte.

In the controversy, Robredo’s staff had allegedly engaged some of her supporters in email conversation regarding a plot to topple Duterte.

Meanwhile, Robredo is not bothered by the decline in her recent approval and trust ratings in the recent poll of Pulse Asia, according to her spokesperson, who said the survey results even “inspire” her to work better to serve the poor.

“To us, the results (of the survey) give energy and inspiration to Vice President Leni to serve better because we listen to the people’s feedbacks though this survey,” said Georgina Hernandez, spokesperson for Robredo.

Robredo’s latest approval and trust ratings fell to 62 percent (from 66 percent) and 58 percent (from 65 percent), respectively, in the Dec. 6-11 survey of Pulse Asia.

“We will study how the ordinary people will feel the service of the Vice President, especially those in the fringes of society,” Hernandez said.

She said the Vice President remains thankful to the majority of people who continue to trust her. 

Hernandez said Robredo is focused on helping in the rehabilitation programs for the victims of Typhoons Nina and Lawin, which struck the country last year.