MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Leni Robredo warned government officials against giving out “baseless” statements and accusations because these instill fear among Filipinos. 

“Nag-aalala tayo na maraming mga paratang na ganito. Tingin ko hindi nakakatulong na magsabi na may destabilization, may pagdedeklara ng revolutionary government kasi nag-ke-create ito ng fear among people,” Robredo said in a chance interview during the anniversary of her anti-poverty program on Tuesday, October 17.  (We are worried that there are many accusations like this. I think it is not helpful to say that there is destabilization, that a revolutionary government will be declared because it only creates fear among people.) 

In an interview on PTV4 last Friday, October 13, President Rodrigo Duterte talked about the possible declaration of a revolutionary government amid destabilization threats. (READ: Sara Duterte to Tindig Pilipinas: No reason for President to be insecure) 

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) also said  the intention of the two-day strike led by Left-leaning organizations Piston and Kilusang Mayo Uno was to destabilize the country. The strike organizers have since denied this accusation. 

“Sana iwasan ang pagsasalita ng walang basehan na ang epekto nito… mas maraming masamang naidudulot kesa mabuti,” said Robredo. (I hope they refrain from issuing baseless accusations that would bring more bad than good.) 

Robredo said that dissent was part of a healthy democracy. “We oppose some policies that we don’t agree to but it doesn’t mean we want the failure of this administration.”  

Even when the current administration was just starting last year, Robredo has been vocal of her opposition against certain policies of President Duterte, particularly the conduct of the war against drugs that has since resulted to thousands of death. 

Robredo and her fellow Liberal Party (LP) members have also been accused of organizing destabilization plots against the government, something they have also denied. 

Last September 18, some LP lawmakers, opposition senators, and civil society organizations launched a coalition against Duterte called #TindigPilipinas.  

But though her Liberal party mates were there, Robredo, the LP chairperson, said she was not part of #TindigPilipinas. – Rappler.com