Leni jokes: There are VPs who can't be removed by SC

MANILA - Could there a plot to oust Vice President Leni Robredo?

In a university forum on Thursday, Robredo appeared to have bared her concerns, amid rumors that the Supreme Court will later favor vice presidential rival, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, in his electoral protest.

"Before I proceed, let me first greet the school officials who are here, our vice president... Maria Luz Vilches. Ito sigurado 'to, hindi matatanggal ng Supreme Court," Robredo said in a forum in Ateneo, drawing cheers and applause from the audience.

(Before I proceed, let me first greet the school officials who are here, our vice president... Maria Luz Vilches. I'm sure the Supreme Court can't remove her from office.)

Robredo repeated her joke when she greeted Ateneo's Vice President for Social Development Atty. Jim Hofileña.

"Vice president din siya, hindi din siya matatanggal," she said, drawing laughter from the audience.

(He's also a vice president, but he won't be removed from his office.)

Robredo's remarks came days after the Supreme Court approved the burial of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

It was the first time Robredo openly, but indirectly, addressed issues that the high court might decide in favor of Marcos who filed an electoral protest after losing the vice presidential contest in May.

Marcos lost to neophyte rival Robredo by just over 263,000 votes.

After toying with the possibility of being removed from office, Robredo jabbed at the SC's decision to allow Marcos' burial at the Heroes' Cemetery, calling it a "disappointing and heartbreaking news".

"To truly move forward, we must hold a deep reverence for the past and truth of its sorrows and victories. We must honor those who fought for the country and demand justice for those who betrayed it," she said.

"Reflection and discernment must always precede action," she added.

-- With reports from Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN News