Former president Rodrigo Duterte denied allegations that he’s behind the reported destabilization plot against President Marcos, as he remarked that any talks of a coup d’etat should be “out in the open.”

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets his predecessor, former president Rodrigo Duterte, in Malacañang on Aug. 2, 2023. According to Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil, the two discussed Duterte's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing last month. (PCO photo)

Speaking on SMNI’s “Gikan Sa Masa, Para sa Masa”on Tuesday, Nov. 7, explained how his name was linked to the supposed destabilization plot that has since been denied by the military.

“I really don’t know how I was dragged into this. But you know as a former employee of government, I remember talking to some of the retired generals, ang sinabi ko lang naman doon (what I said there was just), as long as there is no serious issue of corruption,” he shared.

“As a former president ng mga retired generals, maybe they have quoted me na ganoon. Pero sabi ko nga eh (like that. But I also said), bring it out in the open. When we talk about coup d'etat or changing government by force, you talk about it openly para walang duda (so there’s no doubt),” the former chief executive added.

Duterte was reacting to last week’s report by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. that there was a destabilization plot against Marcos. This, however, was clarified by AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar, who said the AFP chief was “misquoted.”

The former president, however, has assured that he sees no issue that would “create a turmoil” in the “short or long” horizon.

Instead, he told the military that “rampant, uncontrolled” corruption and abuse of authority are the main reasons that could lead to the overthrow of a government.

“Sabi ko (I said that) what would bring the government down is pag malaman ng tao ang pera nila ginagastos para sa sarili mo (when the people find out their money is being spent for selfish reasons). That’s what I told the military,” he added.

Duterte, who was never vocal about his support for Marcos despite Vice President Sara Duterte teaming up with him for the May 2022 elections, is also in the middle of a word war with the House of Representatives following its decision to realign his daughter’s proposed P650-million confidential funds for 2024.

He explained that with “every information” at the President’s disposal, he should be aware of coup attempts and use his power “to counter threats to democracy.”