Malacañang to Robredo: We’re a darling economy

Malacañang on Thursday told Vice President Leni Robredo that the economy was fine as it insisted that President Duterte did not insult her when he said she was incompetent.

Responding to Robredo’s suggestion that the President should mind the economy instead of insulting her and God, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the peso might be weak and the country was facing high inflation but the economy continued to grow.

“All economies in the world will agree that we are a darling economy,” Roque said at a Palace press briefing.

Infrastructure program

While there may be a global economic slowdown, the Duterte administration’s infrastructure program would help the economy, he said.

“So, first of all, Madame Vice President, the economy has no problems,” he said.

Roque said he knew Robredo was hurt by the President’s remark but added that this was an assessment “of a person who [has] served government for about 40 years.”

Public service experience

He noted Robredo’s short experience in public service in which she served three years as congresswoman prior to her election as Vice President.

“There is no malice in the assessment. It’s just a frank, honest and objective assessment of the President. Otherwise, he would not have asked that the transitional leader [in the country’s bid to form a federal government] should be elected, if he feels that the country will be safe in the hands of the Vice President,” Roque said.