File charges against LP members planning to oust Duterte, Drilon dares

Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon dared Malacanang to file charges against Liberal Party members whom Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque insisted are colluding with the communists to oust the President, an allegation that was later disproved by no less than Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Carlito Galvez.

"I challenge Malacanang, particularly presidential spokesman Harry Roque to file charges against LP members who are allegedly in cahoots with the communists to overthrow the government," Drilon said on Wednesday.

"In fact, I believe it is the responsibility of Malacanang to file the charges now because its credibility is at stake for issuing baseless allegations that are later denied by the military," he stressed.

During the budget hearing in the Senate on Tuesday, Galvez was very categorical when he said the LP was not involved in any ouster plot.

"Gen. Galvez's statement in an open hearing that the LP was not involved in any attempt to oust the President should put the issue to rest," Drilon said.

"But Roque's insistence," Drilon said, "shows that he is merely making up stories to harass the critics of the president and the political opposition."

"Let me borrow Sec. Roque's own words. We should not take Roque seriously," Drilon said.

Instead of engaging in political bickering, Drilon said the government should address the alarming increases of oil prices.

"I am alarmed over the continued increases in oil prices for the eight consecutive weeks and the perception, whether true or not, that the government appears helpless in addressing the problem," Drilon said.

Another round of oil price increase, Drilon added, will certainly add to the already heavy financial burden being shouldered by the people, particularly the poor, given the recent increases in the prices of basic commodities and services.

"We call on government to double its efforts in addressing the swelling inflation and adopt stop-gap measures to provide temporary relief to the people in the face of high prices of goods, poverty, hunger and the lack of jobs. We need to rebuild the national economy more and engage in political bickering less," he concluded.