Arroyo firm: I did not plot...

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“Whoever is spreading these pathetic rumors... should now move on to the serious business of making positive contributions to national progress,” the former president said.

She said she made “a humble contribution to the joining of forces that became the UniTeam, and the resulting supermajority in the House is a major force for delivering President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s agenda.

“Thus, I would never take any action to destroy it,” she said.

She added she “did not have any conversation, here or abroad, with any congressman or congresswoman, or any other politician active or retired, to plot, support, encourage or participate in any way in any

alleged House coup.”

Rumors of a conspiracy to overthrow Romualdez circulated after Arroyo was demoted from senior deputy speaker to deputy speaker last May 17.

She was replaced by Pampanga Third District Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. Arroyo said in a May 18 statement that she aspired for the House speakership when Marcos won the presidential election last year, but that she was no longer interested in the position.

She said her political objectives now were to represent her district, support the legislative agenda of Romualdez and President Marcos, and use her experience as a former president to help out when called upon to do so. n