Is Duterte willing to work with Robredo? Maybe it’s time for VP to take initiative – Palace

MANILA, Philippines — It is up to Vice President Leni Robredo how she will cooperate and work with President Rodrigo Duterte, Malacañang said Tuesday, suggesting that maybe it is time for her to take the initiative.

“It’s her call. Dalawang beses siyang inappoint ni Presidente so I don’t know what initiative she has taken… Maybe she should start the initiative,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an online briefing.

Roque was sought for comment on Robredo’s statement expressing hope that differences be set aside for them to work together.

“Gusto kong ipakita na kahit marami kaming political differences, puwede pa rin kaming magtrabaho together,” Robredo said Monday in a radio interview.

(I want to show that even if we have political differences, we can still work together.)

Earlier, Roque said it is unlikely for the President and Robredo to work harmoniously after the latter supposedly failed to make it work when she was appointed twice by Duterte.

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. [ac]