MANILA, Philippines — Denying its supposed involvement in the ouster plot against President Rodrigo Duterte, the Magdalo party-list said their alleged involvement in the destabilization is "purely a product of imagination and paranoia" of the administration.
"I categorically deny that the Magdalo is involved in any oust plot against the President," Rep. Gary Alejano said in a statement released Tuesday.
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The group stressed that it was only performing its mandate as members of the opposition to fulfill the check and balance system of the government.
Magdalo, a group of forrmer soldiers, continues to respect the Constitution and trusts government institutions despite "being abused right now by certain leaders."
"This is only meant to divert the attention of the people from the present economic woes they themselves have failed to address. If there is someone destabilizing the present government, they should not look beyond themselves for they are ones destabilizing it," Magdalo said.
The group also cited Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana's statements that reports of destabilization plots are false.
They also pointed out that they are aware that communists have always been enemies of the state and have always had the objective of removing any sitting president.
"We subscribe to democracy and the Constitution. We will never ally ourselves to the communists who also killed some our mistahs and troops in the past and present," the group said.
Magdalo also criticized Duterte for appointing left-leaning officials to his Cabinet.
"Up to now, they continue to occupy government positions and influence programs, projects and policies. He was also responsible in releasing high-ranking officers of CPP-NPA-NDF who remain at large," Magdalo said.
Former Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo and former Agrarian Reform Rafael Mariano are among those who have been nominated by the communist group to be part of Duterte's Cabinet. Both, however, have been rejected by the Commission on Appointments.
Liza Maza, former representative of Gabriela Party-list, had resigned as chair of the National Anti-Poverty Commission.
Lorenzana had confirmed that the supposed plot to oust Duterte came from the Communist Party of the Philippines. However, the alleged involvement of pro-Aquino groups and the camp of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV has not been verified.