Vice President Leni Robredo went to Malacanang Monday afternoon to pay a courtesy visit to President Rodrigo Duterte. She expressed her full support to the Duterte administration. PHOTO FROM LENI MEDIA BUREAU
SHE WAS not promised a Cabinet post but President Duterte wants Vice President Leni Robredo to visit him in Malacañang more often and help with his job of running the country.
This was revealed on Tuesday by Robredo who found the President kind and warm in their meeting in Malacañang last Monday.
In an interview at her “Boracay Mansion” office in Quezon City on Tuesday, Robredo said that before she left the meeting, Mr. Duterte told her: “Please assist me in my job.”
Though no follow-up meeting was scheduled, Robredo said Mr. Duterte told her: “Visit me more often because you are part of this administration. It’s better that you are also informed of the country’s situation.”
Robredo, who left her contact number with Duterte’s staff to get his instructions, felt honored that Mr. Duterte escorted her outside the Palace driveway and didn’t leave her side until her service car arrived.
Ice breaker
She called the Palace meeting last Monday as an “ice breaker” because the two have never really sat down together since they won the May 9 elections.
After touching base with Mr. Duterte, Robredo reckoned that she would have more momentum to do her work.
“Our image alone that we are friends will appease many troubled minds. I hope the feuds between our supporters will be reduced. This is important moving forward,” said Robredo.
Robredo said it was only during the Malacañang meeting that she was able to talk to Mr. Duterte formally and personally pledge her full support to his administration.
“He was more warm than the first time we met (last Friday at the Armed Forces of the Philippine change of command ceremony). We talked about adjustments in our new lives,” said Robredo.
Robredo said the topic of her having a Cabinet post in his administration was not broached during her courtesy call.
“I wasn’t there to apply … I told him that with or without a Cabinet post, he can expect from me the same kind of support,” said Robredo.
She found him “good natured, very respectful.” “He called me ‘ma’am’ and it was embarrassing,” said Robredo.
Sudden opportunity
She said they talked about what they went through in their lives and their respective campaigns and they found similarities between them.
“We were both gifted with this sudden opportunity. We were both reluctant candidates. He told me that he was still getting used to all the protocols, security. And I told him, me too,” said Robredo.
Robredo said Mr. Duterte also confided about the difference in his life in Manila and Davao during their exchange of notes.
On her political plans, Robredo said she would meet with leaders of the Liberal Party (LP) to discuss what role she would play considering that she was their highest-elected leader.
She said she was new to LP and not considered as one of its core members.
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