MANILA –Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday rejected allegations that she threw a laptop at lawyer Michael Poa, calling the rumor “nonsense” and accusing critics of spreading disinformation to damage her image.
During an interaction with overseas Filipinos in The Hague, Netherlands, Duterte responded to questions surrounding the viral claim involving Poa, who serves as spokesperson for her impeachment defense panel.
“That issue is already trash and should not even be entertained anymore,” Duterte said in Filipino.
She denied ever engaging in violent behavior toward people working with her, including lawyers and staff members.
“I have never thrown a laptop at anyone — not at an employee, colleague, or legal counsel,” the Vice President stressed.
The rumor gained traction after lawyer Lorna Kapunan suggested in a radio interview that the allegation circulating online could possibly be true. Kapunan also criticized what she described as inconsistent messaging from Duterte’s camp.
In response, Duterte claimed the story was part of an effort to shape public opinion through misinformation and distorted narratives.
She also joked about her limited knowledge of computers, saying she rarely uses laptops except for virtual meetings.
“I don’t even know how to use a computer properly. My staff handles most of the documents for me,” Duterte said.
According to the Vice President, the laptop she uses is personally owned and was purchased with her own funds because the government supposedly could not provide the model she preferred.
“I wouldn’t throw my own laptop because I’d end up spending for another one,” she added.
The controversy comes as impeachment proceedings against Duterte continue to move forward in the House of Representatives after the committee on justice approved the articles of impeachment upon finding probable cause.
Duterte is presently staying in The Hague to visit former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is detained under the International Criminal Court over crimes against humanity allegations linked to his administration’s anti-drug operations.
ia/xf
