House to probe supposed scheme to oust Duterte

At least three House committees are being eyed to jointly conduct an inquiry into reported plots to oust President Duterte.

The House Committees on Foreign Affairs, Public Order and Safety and Defense and Security are expected to lead the congressional investigation into two reports of alleged conspiracies to bring down the Duterte administration.

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has vowed to order the investigation into newspaper reports linking former United States Ambassador Philip Goldberg to the alleged plot.

On the other hand, Assistant Minority Leader Eugene De Vera admitted that there is a strong likelihood that the investigation will also dig into the so-called LeniLeaks ouster plot.

Allies of Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo, with whom the LeniLeaks destabilization scheme is being blamed, have downplayed media reports that Fil-Am philanthropist Loida Lewis is behind the alleged anti-Duterte plan.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said the exchange of e-mails in the socalled LeniLeaks is far from being considered a destabilization plot, adding that the personalities who exchanged internet correspondences were merely exercising their freedom of expression.

Alvarez said the alleged Goldberginstigated destabilization plot should be taken seriously, adding that a congressional inquiry should be launched to determine its veracity.

It will be recalled that Alvarez led congressmen in honoring Goldberg with a congressional award before the latter left the country after completing his tour of duty as top American envoy to the Philippines.

“The allegations in the article are very serious and require our full attention and vigilance in light of the tendency of the US to intervene, contrary to international law, with the sovereign and internal affairs of an independent nation-state,” said Alvarez in a statement released to the media last December.