Robredo: Duterte and I agreed to help each other

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Leni Robredo said she had an agreement with President Rodrigo Duterte that they will help each other to better the country.

On Monday, Robredo paid a courtesy visit on Duterte at the Malacañan. She described their talk as “casual” and “not very formal” where they talked about helping each other in the next six years.

“‘Yun lang ‘yung immensity of the task ahead of us, na nag-agree kami pareho na kailangan naming magtulungan,” Robredo shared in a televised interview with ANCs Talk Back on Monday.

“Sabi niya nga nung pababa na kami sa stairs,‘basta alalayan mo ako dito. Ta’s ang sabi ko naman sa kanya, basta Mr. President ‘pag may gusto po kayo ipagawa sa akin, patawagan niyo na lang po ako. Ganun na klase ‘yung conversation” she said.

In a short media interview on Tuesday, Robredo also said Duterte told her to visit him at the Malacañan frequently and was told: “You are part of this administration.”

The vice president stressed that she can work with Duterte even without a Cabinet position since despite their differences their common ground is their love for the country. She said both of them are from the local government and were also initially reluctant candidates.

“Love for country - it was very apparent to him that he was willing to make a lot of personal sacrifice para sa ating bansa, ganun din ako,” Robredo said.

“As I have said, marami man kaming hindi magka-parehong pananaw halos pareho yung pinanggalingan naming. Galing lang kami sa simpleng buhay. Galing kami sa lokal,” Robredo said.

 Robredo said that aside from helping those from the fringes of society that needed support, she and Duterte share a common uneasiness with certain protocols. She added that both of them are willing to set aside differences.

“I think pareho yung appreciation namin sa mga problema ng baba,” Robredo said.

“‘Yung sa akin naman, dahil pareho naman kaming willing to set aside our personal interests to serve this country well I think that's enough,” she added.

Robredo worked as a representative of Camarines Sur while Duterte served as Davao City Mayor prior to winning the 2016 elections. Both officials seek to bring change to the country despite coming from different political parties. —With reports from Helen Flores