Her recent visit to former vice president Leni Robredo that went viral on social media is part of her work in the Office of the Vice President (OVP), Vice President Sara Duterte said on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
(From left) Former vice presidents Leni Robredo, Erap Estrada, Teofisto Guingona (Archdiocese of Caceres/MB file photos)
Speaking in a press conference, the official explained her much talked about visit to Robredo’s home in Naga City during the Feast of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia last week.
Duterte said the public wasn’t aware that visiting former vice presidents is part of the tasks for the incumbent vice president.
“Isa sa mga task na nilista para sa akin dito sa (One of the tasks listed for me here in the) Office of the Vice President is to visit former vice presidents doon sa mga residences nila (in their residences),” she shared.
Duterte disclosed that she already visited former vice presidents Teofisto Guingona and Joseph “Erap” Estrada, and is planning to visit former vice presidents Jejomar Binay and Noli de Castro.
During the visit, she would introduce herself and thank her predecessors for the work they did, as well as promise support for their endeavors, Duterte said.
She also invited those she already visited to lend her memorabilia to be displayed in her planned Office of the Vice President Museum.
But prodded about the details of her visit to Robredo, who was a staunch critic of her father’s past administration, Duterte kept mum.
While she confirmed the visit, she refused to talk about the meeting, saying a permission from the former official is warranted because she doesn’t want to assume anything as she was merely a visitor.
Her visit to the former vice president raised concern among Robredo’s supporters, with former senator Antonio Trillanes IV repeatedly criticizing the ex-official for welcoming the Vice President into her home.