MANILA, Philippines – President Duterte yesterday wished his detractors luck in their supposed move to oust him from office after the so-called “LeniLeaks” email messages aimed at discrediting his administration were exposed on social media.
Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the President has discussed the matter with National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. and that Information and Communications Technology Secretary Rodolfo Salalima has discussed the matter on the sidelines of last Monday’s Cabinet meeting.
“I wish them all the success,” Andanar said, quoting the President.
The hashtag #LeniLeaks dominated social media over the weekend after several bloggers claimed that some of Robredo’s Filipino-American supporters and aides are plotting to overthrow the Duterte government.
But presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said while the Lenileaks issue is a matter of concern, it has not reached the level of the Cabinet.
“Not that they are not being taken seriously,” Abella said. “However, it has not reached the level of gravity to be discussed in Cabinet level.”
#LeniLeaks went viral on the internet after Vice President Leni Robredo’s critics on Facebook spread screenshots of supposed emails from Robredo’s known supporters calling for Duterte’s resignation and for his ouster.
Earlier, Esperon said the purported plot to oust Duterte was not discussed during the Cabinet meeting.
“We have other more important matters… This should not be the flavor of the day, or the month, since this is just something that we already know,” Esperon said.
“The best way to address this is to show that we are effective in anti-drugs, that we could address the problems that they (the people) are concerned with,” he added.