VP Duterte, Singson, Defensor, Magalong Deny Involvement In Alleged Destabilization Plot

Vice President Sara Duterte dismissed as “rumors” on Tuesday, Nov. 11, a social media post by columnist Ramon Tulfo alleging her involvement in a destabilization plot against the Marcos government.

Tulfo's post named the Vice President, her brother Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, and Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson as supposed financiers of the plot.

“‘Yung mga ganyan kung meron kang mga alegasyon at wala kang ebidensya.. ang tawag dyan tsismis o ang tawag sayo ay tsismosa,” the Vice President, who is a constitutional successor in case President Marcos is removed from office, said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is investigating alleged attempts to destabilize the Marcos administration, following a viral social media post by media personality Ramon Tulfo, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

At a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the AFP has taken notice of the claims and is validating the information.

“This has been noticed by the AFP, and names such as (Romeo) Poquiz, General (Orly) de Leon and Benjie Magalong were mentioned although for confirmation, and others including Col. La Chica, who was allegedly involved in the P125-million confidential funds of the Vice President,” Castro said.

While the post may fall under freedom of expression, Castro stressed that it must still be investigated to determine whether it crosses into destabilization.

“According to the AFP, these kinds of statements, although on social media, are also being given to the intelligence community, these are being monitored and validated,” she said.

“Although they can claim that this is just part of their freedom of expression, we need to determine if it’s already part of the destabilization,” she added.

The Palace, however, has yet to determine whether any laws were violated.

Former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson also told “The Big Story” on One News that he had nothing to do with the alleged plot to destabilize the Marcos administration and claimed that one or two individuals on Tulfo’s list have already been “paid” and are now considered “insiders” for the administration.

But Singson said the President should consider stepping down rather than risk being removed from office, comparing the situation to what happened to the Chief Executive’s father, late president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

Singson added that if Marcos Jr. resigns, the Supreme Court should temporarily assume leadership of the government.

Singson clarified he is not aligned with either the President or the Vice President as he was only focused fighting graft and corruption in the country, which he described as a source of national embarrassment.

Former congressman Michael “Mike” Defensor, for his part, said in an interview with “Storycon” also on One News that he will attend an anti-corruption rally organized by the Iglesia Ni Cristo on Nov. 16 to 18 but also denied Tulfo’s allegation that he is part of an alleged destabilization plot against the Marcos administration.

Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong also denied the claims, saying that the accusations are “false, misleading and harmful to the country’s unity.”

 “I have served this country all my life as a soldier, a police officer and now as a public servant,” he said.

He explained that he has no ties to any political faction or agenda and his engagements with students, business groups and civic organizations are aimed at encouraging responsible civic participation.

“What truly destabilizes our nation are those who spread lies and unfounded claims in the guise of journalism,” he noted.

 Tulfo had included Magalong in his list of officials “for confirmation” in connection with the alleged destabilization efforts.

Further denouncing this claim, the mayor called on the public to focus on combating corruption and deception instead of tearing each other down.

“I will continue to work for a Philippines built on integrity, unity and moral strength,” he said.“I have served this country all my life as a soldier, a police officer and now as a public servant,” he said.

He explained that he has no ties to any political faction or agenda and his engagements with students, business groups and civic organizations are aimed at encouraging responsible civic participation.

“What truly destabilizes our nation are those who spread lies and unfounded claims in the guise of journalism,” he noted.

Tulfo had included Magalong in his list of officials “for confirmation” in connection with the alleged destabilization efforts.

Further denouncing this claim, the mayor called on the public to focus on combating corruption and deception instead of tearing each other down.

“I will continue to work for a Philippines built on integrity, unity and moral strength,” he said. – With Artemio Dumlao