Office of the Vice President (OVP) Spokesman Ibarra Gutierrez said that Vice President Leni Robredo has always been open to working with the administration but pointed out that it was Malacañang's problem if it cannot set aside politics.
Gutierrez made the statement after Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said Robredo's stand on vaccines should be made clear first before they consider having President Duterte do an infomercial with her on coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines.
In a statement, Gutierrez said Vice President Robredo's stand on vaccination has always been clear but claimed that it was the Palace's problem if they will give it another meaning.
"Bukas siya (Robredo) na makipagtulungan para maengganyo ang mas marami nating kababayan na magpabakuna (The Vice President is open to working with the administration to encourage more people to get vaccinated)," he said.
"Kung hanggang sa simpleng bagay na ito hindi kayang isantabi ng Malacanang ang pamumulitika, sa kanila na iyon (If Malacañang can't help but politicize even the simplest things such as this one, that's their problem)," he added.
According to Gutierrez, Robredo has always been on standby in case the government needs her help.
"Matagal nang kumikilos si VP Leni, at lagi siyang handang tumulong. Kung handa na rin sila, nariyan lang siya (Vice President Robredo has been doing her job and she's always been ready to help. When Malacañang is ready, she's just there)," he said.
Senator Joel Villanueva has suggested the production of an infomercial featuring the county's top two leaders to encourage Filipinos to receive the COVID-19 shots.
The camp of Vice President Robredo said that she was open to appearing in the infomercial with Duterte and that she was just waiting for someone to get in touch with her to make this project happen.
However, Malacañang was not readily open to the idea of Duterte and Robredo teaming up for an infomercial, saying the Vice President should first be clear about her stand on vaccines after her supposed initial hesitation to endorse the use of vaccines made in China.