Palace: Unlikely for Duterte, Robredo to work together anew

MANILA, Philippines — It is unlikely for President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Leni Robredo to have a harmonious working relationship after the latter supposedly failed to make it work when the President appointed her twice.

“Siguro hindi na po, dahil binigyan na ng dalawang pagkakataon ng Presidente si VP Leni,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said when asked if it is still possible for Duterte and Robredo to work together.

(Maybe not anymore, because VP Leni was already given two opportunities by the President.)

“Despite the two opportunities, talagang VP Leni listened to her advisers and decided to become opposition, if not obstructionist,” he added.

In 2016, Robredo was appointed as head of the government’s Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council. She resigned after she was asked to stop attending Cabinet meetings.

Last year, the Vice President was appointed as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs, but her stint was cut short when Duterte fired her over “missteps.”

“So pabayaan na po natin ‘yan. Naging Cabinet member na po siya, naging head ng anti-drug effort, eh wala pong nangyari. Dalawang taon na lang, siguro ganoon na lang po talaga ‘yan,” Roque said.

(Let’s leave it at that. She became a Cabinet member, she was head of the anti-drug effort, nothing happened. There are only two years left, let’s leave it at that.)

“We offered twice. The President gave her two appointments, it didn’t work. I don’t think we need a third one,” Roque added.