PHOTO FROM OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
THE incoming and outgoing Vice President met for the first time two days before Leni Robredo will be sworn in as the second highest government official on June 30.
Defeated presidential candidate Jejomar Binay visited Robredo at her home in Quezon City on Monday, a media release from the Office of the Vice President said.
The meeting coincided with the 29th wedding anniversary of Leni and her late husband and former Interior Secretary Jesse.
And what was his advice to the new Vice President?
“Marami pang intrigang darating,” he told Robredo.
In the photos sent by the OVP, it showed Robredo and Binay laughing and casually talking while sitting on the sofa.
Joining Robredo and Binay were OVP Chief of Staff Usec. Benjamin Martinez Jr., Robredo transition team head Boyet Dy, and political strategist Malou Tiquia.
Since Robredo was celebrating their wedding anniversary, she asked Binay to share bihon, bicol express and gulay na santol with her.
“Kailangan n’yo pong kumain kasi wedding anniversary namin ngayon,” Robredo jokingly told Binay during the meeting.
OVP budget intact
During the meeting, Robredo took the opportunity to thank Binay for leaving the budget for the Office of the Vice President this year intact.
Seeking advice from her predecessor, Robredo asked Binay if the budget was enough to accommodate all the people asking for medical assistance.
Binay said to her: “You should always consider your office a public office and that people will go to you for assistance.”
Stamina
Robredo also told her fellow lawyer that she was hoping to equal Binay’s stamina, admiring the 73-year-old former Makati Mayor for visiting several provinces, mostly far-flung areas, during the campaign period.
“Ang sipag n’yo ho mag-ikot. ’Yong mga lugar na akala ko ako pa lang ang nakapunta, sinasabi ng nga tao, galing na si VP Binay dito. Tapos ’yong ibang lugar, hindi lang isang beses n’yo pinuntahan,” Robredo told Binay.
“Masipag ako pero hindi ko alam kung kaya ko yung ginagawa n’yo,” she added.
Robredo and Binay campaigned under opposing parties. Both Binay and his political nemesis Mar Roxas vied for presidency. Roxas ran alongside Robredo under the erstwhile ruling Liberal Party.
Resisting temptation
Robredo shunned the idea of holding office in what she called the “ostentatious” Coconut Palace where Binay stayed throughout his term.
But she shared Binay that she intentionally did not visit the palace because she was afraid she would be tempted to stay there despite the expensive rental fee of almost P500,000 per month.
“Hindi na po ako nag-punta sa Coconut Palace kasi baka ma-tempt pa ako. Sabi ng staff ko ang ganda raw kasi,” she said.
“Maganda kasi ang sunset doon,” Binay replied.
Robredo opted to stay at the two-storey Quezon City Reception House, formerly the controversial “Boracay Mansion,” located in an upscale community in New Manila.
QC Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte said the rental fee of the QC Reception House will be less than half of what Binay is paying for his stay at Coconut Palace.