Robredo says Sison is not her adviser; Joma confirms he has not been advising Leni

Vice President and presidential candidate Leni Robredo on Saturday slammed as fake a news report published Thursday saying Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder and chairman Jose Maria "Joma" Sison is an adviser to her and her campaign for Eleksyon 2022.

"Walang katotohanan ang kuwento na 'adviser' ko o ng ating kampanya si Jose Maria Sison. Hindi ko pa siya nakakausap kahit minsan, personal man o sa anumang paraan," Robredo said in a statement sent to reporters.

(There is no truth to the report that Jose Maria Sison is an 'adviser' to me or to my campaign. I have not talked to him even once, whether personal or via other means.)

"Ilang ulit ko na ring inilinaw na hindi ako kailanman makikipag-ugnayan sa sinumang indibidwal o grupo na gumagamit ng dahas para isulong ang interes," she added.

(I have repeatedly clarified that I will never coordinate with any individual or group that uses violence to pursue its interests.)

"Malinaw na kasinungalingan ang paratang na siya ay nagbibigay ng 'advice' sa akin o sinuman sa aking staff," Robredo said.

(It is clear that the allegation that Sison is giving 'advice' to me or anyone on my staff is a lie.)

Sison also issued a statement on Friday saying there is no truth to the said report.

"I have not been advising Leni Robredo although I think that she is a far more qualified candidate for president than Ferdinand Jr. who has no qualification but to campaign with too much money from the bureaucratic loot of the late unlamented fascist dictator, Ferdinand Sr.," Sison posted on his website.

"I have not been consulting with Barry Gutierrez, the spokesman of Robredo," he added.

Sison added that he presumes that Ang Bayan, which was supposedly quoted by the news article, "will deny the fake report." Ang Bayan is the official publication of the CPP.

The CPP founder also said he had "never been approached or interviewed" by the writer of the said article.

The vice president also said her lawyers are studying the matter and may possibly file a case against those behind the report.

"Kasalukuyang pinag-aaralan na ng ating mga abogado ang pagsampa ng nararapat na kaso para panagutin ang nagpalabas ng kasinungalingang ito," she said.

(Currently, our lawyers are studying the possibility of filing charges to hold the persons behind this lie responsible.)

Robredo’s spokesperson Atty. Barry Gutierrez on Friday also refuted a news item claiming Sison endorsed Robredo for president.

“Absolute lie. Nabaliw na yata yung writer. Desperate much?” he said on Twitter.

(Absolute lie. The writer must have gone crazy. Desperate much?) —KG, GMA News