MANILA - The camp of Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday reproached House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez for what they dubbed as "baseless and irresponsible" threats to impeach the country's second highest official.

"Sa aming pagkakaunawa, wala talagang basehan ang kanyang mga pananakot. Napaka-iresponsable na magbitaw siya ng mga ganitong salita gayong wala namang sapat na basehan," Robredo's spokesperson, Georgina Hernandez said in an interview with radio DZMM.

(From what we understand, there is no basis whatsoever for his threats. Issuing such statements was very irresponsible as these had no basis.)

"Natatakot din sila na kung may magsasalitang hindi nila nagugustuhan ay pilit nilang pinatatahimik. Hindi naman po yata iyun tama," she added.

(They are afraid of dissent so they try to silence detractors. That does not seem right.)

Alvarez, in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel, said Robredo may be ousted from office for allegedly betraying public trust when she sent a video message to the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, where she criticized the government's war on drugs.

• Robredo reveals 'palit-ulo' scheme in war on drugs

Hernandez, however, said Robredo did not seek to humiliate the administration but renew instead the country's commitment to addressing alleged human rights violations in the anti-narcotics crackdown.

"Ito ay may malinaw na panawagan at hindi naninira -- isang commitment ito at pagbibigay rin ng assurance sa kanila na kinikilala natin na ito ang ating sitwasyon ngayon at may gagawin tayo para masolusyunan po ito."

(This is a clear appeal and not a defamation -- this is a commitment and assurance to the international community that we acknowledge the current situation and that we will do something to address it.)

Robredo's spokesperson also shot down Malacañang's claim that the Vice President is being used by the people behind an alleged destabilization plot against President Rodrigo Duterte.

"Nagtataka rin kami kung bakit pilit na sinasabi ng mga nakapaligid sa Pangulo na may destabilization plot kung mismong AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) ang nagsasabi na wala. E 'di ba doon naman talaga nanggagaling ang mga impormasyon na iyan?" Hernandez pointed out.

(We are also puzzled about why those around the President keep insisting that there is a destabilization plot even after the AFP said there is none. Isn't AFP the source of such information?)