As several entities involved in the alleged ouster plot against him cast aspersion on the “Oust Duterte” matrix, President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday maintained the model previously released by Malacañang was true.
Speaking to reporters after casting his vote in Davao City, the President backed the veracity of the matrices amid criticisms. But he did not give additional details to verify the alleged ouster plot against him.
“The matrix is true. The ‘Bikoy’ is true, you can clearly see it even the spectral analysis of their voices. Those are really true,” Duterte said.
The Chief Executive also slammed critical journalist Ellen Tordesillas, one of the many media personalities and entities included in the matrix.-
“That Tordesillas is really something. She’s an every inch a prostitute,” he added.
Tordesillas was quick to hit back at the President.
“Since Duterte does not have evidence to support his silly matrix he is now resorting to vulgarity—the only language he knows,” Tordesillas said.
“He is not in his right mind. He is a danger to the Filipino people,” he added.
The Palace has previously accused the Liberal Party, the Magdalo group, and other media groups of working “hand-in-hand” to oust Duterte and to boost the candidacy of opposition eight-man ticket to the upcoming elections.
Some political personalities included in the matrix are Otso Diretso senatorial bets Bam Aquino, Gary Alejano, Florin Hilbay, Mar Roxas, opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, and Edwin Lacierda, who once served as spokesman of former President Benigno Aquino III.
Communist leader Jose Maria Sison, Olympian Hidilyn Diaz, and athlete Gretchen Ho were also mentioned in Panelo’s questioned presentation. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo then cleared Diaz and Ho from the matrix, blaming the media for its “wrong analysis” of the ouster plot.
Meanwhile, the incoming leadership of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines will conduct an inquiry into the role of their outgoing officials in the press conference at the IBP last week of Peter Joemel Advincula, the self-confessed “Bikoy” in the “Ang Totoong Narco List” videos that accused several members of the presidential family of links to illegal drug trade in the country.
New IBP national president Domingo Eyon Cayosa on Monday said they would hold a formal investigation on the press conference conducted by Advincula in their headquarters in Pasig City last May 6.
Cayosa stressed the probe would look into reports that some IBP officials sanctioned the press conference and would determine if there were rules violated.
According to him, the probe would also look into possible accountability of said officials.
”Be assured that we will responsibly do our job as elected leaders of the organization and safeguard the interests and integrity of the IBP,” Cayosa said, in a statement.
Outgoing IBP national president Abdiel Dan Fajardo claimed they too were caught off guard by Advincula’s appearance in their office.
Minutes before Advincula’s press conference, Fajardo faced the media and said a group of nuns only referred the supposed whistleblower to them for possible legal assistance.
Former IBP national president Vicente Joyas immediately welcomed the development.
“There must be an investigation by the IBP board on the Bikoy incident to determine the accountability group of those who had participation in the arranged press conference,” he said in an interview.
“The IBP Board must come up with the appropriate resolution which will serve as guidance in any case which may be brought against the erring officers of the IBP before the Supreme Court,” he added.
Joyas revealed that a “substantial majority of the members of IBP” are “ashamed” of the current leadership of their organization for allowing their national headquarters to be used for political agenda.
The IBP, later on, turned down the request of Advincula because of the group’s non-partisan policy.
“In the pursuit of its mandate to provide access to justice to the poor and the marginalized, the IBP cannot be seen to be siding with or going against any candidate or political party,” the IBP stressed in a statement.
Still, a disbarment complaint was filed last Friday against both Fajardo and Cayosa by the Kabalikat party-list before the SC.
The complaint accused Fajardo and Cayosa of violating Rule 1.02 of the Code of Professional Responsibility for allowing Advincula to use the IBP office to publicly accuse members of the first family and allies of President Duterte of involvement in the illegal drug trade.
Rule 1.02 states that “a lawyer shall not counsel or abet activities aimed at defiance of the law or at lessening confidence in the legal system.”
The complaint states that the IBP heads committed misconduct in “allowing, tolerating, and abetting” Advincula “in the commission of slander and/or uttering seditious words or speech and in circulating scurrilous libels against the duly constituted authority and a member of his family.”
Solicitor General Jose Calida also called for the resignation of Fajardo as IBP head.