Vice President Leni Robredo is ready to mend fences with President Duterte for the good of the people.
In an interview over DZRH, the vice president lamented that her actions during the rescue and relief efforts for the victims of Typhoon Ulysses in northern Luzon have been politicized.
“For me, especially during a crisis like COVID and the simultaneous typhoons, even if are angry at me, we should set that aside. I’m not saying that they should like me. However, public statements that show there’s a conflict between me do not help. To the victims of the typhoons, it looks like we’re putting politics above helping them,” she said in Filipino.
Since a lot of Filipinos need help, Robredo said there is “space” for everyone to help, no matter from which political spectrum they come from.
Even if she and Duterte don’t see eye-to-eye on a lot of things, Robredo said she hoped they can put aside the differences when there are bigger problems like the pandemic and the typhoons.
“It will be easier to help ,” Robredo added.
The lady official acknowledged the differences between her and Duterte. She admitted that they have different beliefs and styles of governance.
“But this should not mean that there is no chance for us to work together for the betterment of the people, especially during times like these. We should show the people that we are ready to set aside our differences for them,” Robredo said.
Last week, Duterte spent the first 20 minutes of his weekly public address to berate the vice president for supposedly starting the trend #NasaanAngPangulo (Where is the president) on social media.
A few days later, Malacanang refused to apologize to Robredo. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque even cited the tweets of Robredo’s two daughters Aika and Tricia were behind Duterte’s tirade.
Robredo stood by her daughters, who she said they raised to have their own convictions.
She, however, emphasized her willingness to work together with the Duterte administration.
She likened their differences to a couple who also go through some differences but find a way to work their relationship out for their children.
“We can do a lot more if we can work together,” Robredo said.
With a little over a year before their term ends, the vice president reiterated her wish that she and Duterte can set aside their differences and work for the Filipino people.