A Facebook user claims without offering proof that a foundation outgoing Vice President Leni Robredo is launching on July 1 is a “shadow government” that may seek to overthrow the incoming government of presumptive president Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Benjie Jr Contreras in a May 15 post also wrongly said Robredo cannot accept defeat. The post reads:
Leni Gerona Robredo could not accept defeat and move on with her ordinary life. She has formed a shadow government in the guise of a foundation complete with her shadow cabinet to be launch [launched] on July 1, 2022. Ano bang pakulo naman ito Gng Robredo (What is this gimmick, Mrs. Robredo)? Are you planning to overthrow the incoming govt of Pres. Bongbong Marcos?
It then shows an image of a list of senatorial candidates on Robredo's slate and along with their respective sectors. Most of these policy areas match what the candidates had campaigned on.
Marcos’ nickname is Bongbong.
The UK Parliament defines a shadow cabinet as a group of senior spokesmen picked by the leader of the opposition to mimic the Cabinet in government and present itself as an alternative government in waiting. Each shadow cabinet member is assigned to oversee a certain policy area for their party and to question and confront their Cabinet counterpart.
The post has generated negative comments against Robredo, with some accusing her of planning to raise money and work underground with leftist elements against the incoming government.
The outgoing vice president has repeatedly been falsely linked to the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People's Army.
During the thanksgiving event held on May 13, Robredo announced that she will transform the Angat Buhay program, which she has headed for the past six years, into a nongovernmental organization. She said:
Kaya inaanunsyo ko ngayon ang target natin. Sa unang araw ng Hulyo, ilulunsad natin ang Angat Buhay NGO (So I am now announcing our target. On the first day of July, we will launch the Angat Buhay NGO).
The Angat Buhay program was launched in October 2016 as the Office of the Vice President's contribution to the fight against poverty by bringing the public and private sectors together, organizations and individuals alike.
In her speech, Robredo said the NGO will serve as the country's largest volunteer network that will help disadvantaged communities. She added that the project will be open to all.
As early as May 10, a day after the 9 elections, she already called on supporters to accept the results of the May 9 elections, saying:
Bagaman may hindi pa nabibilang; bagaman may mga tanong pa ukol sa eleksyon na ito na kailangang matugunan: Palinaw na nang palinaw ang tinig ng taumbayan. Sa ngalan ng Pilipinas na alam kong mahal na mahal rin ninyo: Kailangan nating pakinggan ang tinig na ito, dahil sa huli, iisa lang ang bayang pinagsasaluhan natin (Even though some votes have still to be counted, and even though there are still unanswered questions about this election, the people's voice is becoming more audible. On behalf of the Philippines, which I know you love, I urge you to listen to this voice, since we are all citizens of the same country).
The post has gained 195 interactions, 47 comments and 44 shares as of writing. Marcos’ supporters’ Facebook pages have shared this post. (HM)