Citing experience, Duterte thinks Robredo is not presidential—Palace

Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo is not seen as presidential by President Rodrigo Duterte, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

Palace spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte, whose presidency is nearing five years, can make the remark based on experience.

“Dahil siya ay naging presidente, alam niya iyong mga kakayahan na kinakailangan para maging isang Presidente. At ang kaniyang naging assessment na suma total, hindi po angkop na maging presidente ang ating bise presidente,” Roque said in a PTV-4 interview.

Duterte earlier said Robredo was “not really qualified to run for president” and knew not her role in the government after the latter’s remarks about the president’s visiting forces agreement threat.

In response, Robredo said Duterte did not have the capacity to decide whether she’s qualified or not.

“Taumbayan ang magdedesisyon,” she said.

Duterte had also said that the presidency was not for women.

Robredo’s spokesman Ibarra Gutierrez hit Roque for his remark with a sarcastic tweet.

“Because he’s really the guy who knows all about how to lead a country competently, right?” he wrote on Twitter. John Ezekiel J. Hirro