Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, November 11, shrugged off claims linking her to a purported destabilization plot against the government, calling it ‘chismis,’ as she visited communities in Negros Occidental affected by Typhoon Tino.
“Dapat po, kapag merong alegasyon, ay merong binibigay na ebidensya. Dahil kapag wala, ang tawag doon ay chismis—at ang tawag sa taong nagpapakalat ng ganoon ay chismosa,” Duterte told reporters in an interview, responding to columnist Ramon Tulfo’s social media post claiming that she, her brother Davao City Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, and former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson were financing a destabilization plot against the government.
Malacañang said that the military’s intelligence community reviewed claims of an alleged plot against the current administration.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) had taken note of Tulfo’s post, which also implicated retired generals, politicians, and lawyers in supposed moves against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Duterte arrived in the province to distribute foodpacks to residents impacted by the typhoon.
She visited the towns of Binalbagan, Moises Padilla, La Castellana, and the cities of Himamaylan, La Carlota, Bago, and Bacolod to personally oversee relief operations.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.