Posted on 12/27/2016 10:39:26 PM PST by csvset
Philippines calls for probe into alleged plot by former US envoy to oust Duterte
MANILA (PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) -Philippine's parliament Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has called for an investigation into an alleged plot by former US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg to oust President Rodrigo Duterte.
In a report on Tuesday by the Manila Times, Goldberg allegedly left a "blueprint" for Duterte's ouster or a "recommendation to the US State Department for the removal of the Philippine President from office".
The US State Department has denied there was any such plot.
But Alvarez, speaker of the House of Representatives, said in a statement: "If true, this has serious consequences not only on our country's political stability but also on the economic and social fabric of our nation. It would also have grave repercussions on our relationship with the United States.
"In view of this serious allegation I am calling for a congressional investigation to find out if there is basis to this reported ouster plot against President Rodrigo Duterte," he added.
Alvarez also added that at any rate, the alleged ouster plot against Duterte constituted a violation of Philippine sovereignty.
"That is anathema to the gospel of democracy the US government, especially under the administration of President Obama, has been preaching to the world," Alvarez said.
Among the strategies in the supposed Goldberg "blueprint" includes the political and economic isolation of the Philippines, blackmailing neighbouring countries so they would turn against Duterte and reduce the trade with the country, and it is said to call on the US government to employ a socio-economic-political-diplomatic combination against Duterte "to bring him to his knees and eventually remove him from office."
"Removing him from office won't be such a big thing for President Duterte. But I'm sure he would not stand idly when he sees our people suffering if our economy crumbles as a result of such US machinations," Alvarez said.
At Malacañang palace, Duterte's spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the US State Department had already denied participation in a supposed plot to unseat the President.
"The President continues to enjoy the trust of the people and… (they) apparently appreciate what he's doing," Abella told a news briefing.
He also pointed out that Goldberg himself purportedly admitted that ousting Duterte would be "difficult."
Asked if he agreed with the former US ambassador's assessment, Abella said: "I don't have any opinion. I'm just a spokesperson. I don't need to agree."
Despite the spiraling drug killings in the country, Duterte has kept his popularity as he registered "excellent" ratings in recent surveys.
Yep, Mr. Alvarez, that is what Obama does, he lectures people.
And we have clowns wildly accusing the Russian government of hacking without any proof. Obama is a disaster and we cannot get him out of office soon enough.
Is this the same U S Ambassador that Duterte called a faggot?
Yes he is the one.
Duterte’s certifiable and he’s turning the Philippines into a nut house.
Duterte is a pro-China stooge.
You think Trump is going to be friends with a guy who says “3 out of 5 Americans are idiots” ?
My wife and her entire family voted for Duterte. So far, they seem to think that things are better now. How it goes in the future, who knows, but we shall see.
Thank you for an inside view into the issue of Duterte’s popularity.
You’re welcome bro.
It has long been thus...
Well considering Obama got elected TWICE, I can kind of see why he might think that.
They also are ignoring that some of the murders are by drug gangs killing snitches, or just ordinary murders.
Actually, we feel safer now. Before Duterte was elected, we had three murders in our town of elderly people during robberies. Robbery is common here: Murdering those at home during the robbery is something unheard of until the last two or three years and is blamed on the drug/meth addicts needing money, and being so high that they are trigger (or machete) happy.
And now, the streets are safer for the middle class and poor.
The press is biased For example, one hit job interviewed a European priest about how his people were afraid (guess they didn't notice all those Filipino priest or pastors in the poor neighborhoods). This priest cited a poll saying 80 percent of people were afraid of being killed.
Well, I looked up the poll, and found the question was asked if they feared one of their friends or relatives might be killed. 45% said very afraid, another 30 percent said somewhat afraid. 20 percent said not afraid.
but the back ground: Filipinos have huge extended families. Every family knows a cousin or second cousin or their cousin's spouse or their cousin's spouse's relative who is on drugs.
And also here, people are polite and tend to tell the poll taker what they want to hear.
I could go on, but you get the idea.
>Duterte’s certifiable and he’s turning the Philippines into a nut house.
So says the lying western press. After all the lies they told about Trump, I’m waiting for hard evidence to decide.
>Duterte is a pro-China stooge.
Duterte might be pro-China for the same reason Turkey is not pro-Russia: The US government is trying to overthrow him.
Duterte might be pro-China for the same reason Turkey is *now* pro-Russia: The US government is trying to overthrow him.
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