Vice President-elect Sara Duterte disclosed on Saturday, June 18, her plan to find a permanent place for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) once she assumes the post by the end of the month.
Speaking to reporters in Davao City, Duterte said her team would temporarily hold office at the Quezon City Reception House, the official residence of outgoing Vice President Leni Robredo.
The incoming vice president will take her oath of office before Supreme Court Justice Ramon Paul Hernando at the San Pedro Square on Sunday, June 19, in Davao City.
Although Duterte will be inaugurated tomorrow, she will only start her term at noon on June 30.
“Nakalagay sa ating (It is stated in the) Constitution na wala talagang trabaho ang vice president (the vice president has no other work) except to be a president-in-waiting and except he or she is assigned a Cabinet position. So the singular legacy that we want to leave after six years is a permanent residence for the future vice presidents,” she said.
READ: VP-elect Sara Duterte bares highlights of June 19 oath-taking in Davao City
Duterte said their stay at the QCRH would only be temporary because they wanted to move to a bigger place.
“It will not be our semi-permanent office for the next six years since we are looking at other areas where we can hold all the personnel of the Office of the Vice President, including the organic personnel under the office,” she said.
Apart from the QCRH, the country’s past vice presidents held office at the Coconut Palace and the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, and the Philippine National Bank Building in Manila, respectively, because of the absence of a permanent residence for them.
Under her term, Duterte said the OVP would also open six satellite offices to be manned by managers.
“We’ll start with six and see how it goes because we understand there will be birthing pains,” the Vice President-elect said.
“This will be the first time that it will be done. There is no template, and they are excited,” she added.