By Raymund Antonio

Vice President and opposition leader Leni Robredo clarified on Thursday that she is not part of supposed calls for President Duterte to resign amid the planned protest action on February 22.

Vice-President Leni Robredo (OVP / Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN) Robredo said while she called on Duterte to do his job, it doesn’t mean she asked for his removal from office. “Hayagan ko pong sinasabi: Hindi ako bahagi ng anumang panawagang bumaba sa puwesto si Pangulong Duterte. Ang panawagan ko lang, sana gawin nating lahat ang trabaho natin bilang mga lingkod-bayan,” she said. (I’m openly saying: I’m not part of any calls for President Duterte to step down from office. My only call is we do our job as public servants.) The vice president issued the statement on social media after she received information about the mass action ahead of the 34th anniversary commemoration of the EDSA Revolution. The EDSA People Power Revolution, which toppled former dictator Ferdinand Marcos from power, is celebrated on February 25 every year. Robredo, who defeated the late strongman’s son and namesake Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the 2016 elections, emphasized that people have constitutional rights to freedom of expression and to assemble. But having said that, Robredo expects protesters to hold peaceful mass actions and follow the rule of law. “Dapat idaan ang pagpapahayag ng mga hinaing at pagpapanagot sa ating mga pinuno sa mga prosesong alinsunod sa Saligang Batas. Sa gayong paraan, makikiambag tayo sa pagpapalakas ng ating mga institusyon,” she said. (We should air our grievances and hold our leaders accountable according to the process allowed by the Constitution. In that way, we can contribute to strengthening our institutions.) “Sa harap ng lahat ng ito, tiwala akong magiging mapayapa ang pagtitipon,” she added. (In the face of all these, I trust the assembly will be peaceful.)