By Argyll Cyrus Geducos

Malacañang said that the government will not be going after the journalists linked in the alleged plot to oust President Duterte, reiterating that Duterte’s critics can do their worst but the administration will continue to do its best.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the statement as he confirmed that journalists related to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), Rappler and Vera Files are supposedly part of an “Oust Duterte” plot as seen in a matrix provided to him by the President himself.

In his press briefing Monday, Panelo said that, while he did not exactly know where Duterte got his copy of the matrix, or how exactly the matrix works, people can be assured that it was properly vetted.

“The source of that is from the Office of the President, from the President himself. I don’t know how he got one but it’s coming from the President,” he said.

“Siguro naman [it is reliable] considering he is the President he has so many sources eh validated ‘yan (We assume that it is reliable considering the President’s many sources. We assume it is validated),” he added.

“Galing kay Presidente, eh. Paniwalaan niyo (It is from the President, you better believe it),” he continued.

Despite the alleged connection, Panelo said the Palace will not be pressing any charges against the said journalists, emphasizing that the present government never gagged the media or anybody.

“We have never stifled dissent in this country. It’s the President who encourages dissent. That’s what democracy is all about,” he said.

“They’re at it already for the past years pinapabayaan lang namin (We are just letting them do what they want). We just them to know that we know,” he added.

“Sa ngayon [hindi magsasampa ng kaso] kasi (We will not press charges for now but) if the plot thickens and they perform acts which are already violation of the penal laws, then that’s a different story,” he continued.

Earlier, Duterte said that he will reveal how media played a role in the videos uploaded by a certain Bikoy. The said videos linked Duterte’s family and closest allies to the illegal drug trade.

The President, for the past week, slammed the PCIJ for its reports on the first family’s wealth. He said he received information about their involvement from a foreign country which he refused to name.

In his press briefing, Panelo said that he was not even surprised that there was such a plot. However, he said that they do not have to monitor journalists. He also denied that reporters were under surveillance.

The Palace official also said that receiving information from foreign country was not illegal since it is part of a process called intelligence information sharing.

“‘Yan ang tinatawag na (That is what we call) sharing of intelligence information. That’s standard for all countries if it affects the security,” Panelo said.

He also defended the release of the said list, saying it was the duty of the administration to inform the people what is happening with the government.

“If there is an ouster plan, the people need to know it. It is our constitutional duty,” Panelo said.

“They can do their worst, we’ll do our best. The Filipino people, apparently, do not believe them. Otherwise, matagal nang bumagsak ang reign ni Presidente (the President’s reign would have ended already),” he added.

The Palace official also shrugged off the possibility that those tagged in the ouster plot may file libel charges against the government.

“Oh, ‘di sige (Fine). That’s their right,” Panelo said.