REY BANIQUET/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
Malacañang on Thursday said it might not be possible for President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo to develop a collaborative relationship for the benefit of the Filipino people.
“Siguro hindi na po dahil binigyan na ng dalawang pagkakataon ng Presidente si VP Leni,” Palace spokesman Harry Roque said in a virtual presser after he was asked if it was possible for the two highest-ranking officials to “work together harmoniously.”
Roque claimed Duterte had given Robredo two chances when she was appointed head of the government’s Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council in 2016 and co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs last year.
Robredo resigned as housing secretary after being told by Duterte “to desist from attending all Cabinet meetings.” In her resignation letter, Robredo said she had hoped the position in Duterte’s Cabinet “would transcend the differences between us,” but it became “impossible” for her to perform her duties due to “obstacles.”
Duterte also kicked Robredo out of her anti-drug post due to “missteps.”
“Despite the two opportunities, talagang VP Leni listened to her advisers and decided to become opposition, if not obstructionist. So pabayaan na po natin iyan. Naging Cabinet member na siya, naging head siya ng anti-drug effort, e wala pong nangyari. So dalawang taon na lang e siguro ganoon na lang po talaga iyan,” Roque said.
He said that a third chance to mend Duterte and Robredo’s relationship would not be viable.
“We offered twice. The president gave her two appointments. Two appointments, it didn’t work; I don’t think we need a third one,” Roque said. John Ezekiel J. Hirro