Leni thanks Rody for HUDCC post

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for appointing her as the head of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

Robredo said the position would allow her to help homeless Filipinos.

"[M]aipagpapatuloy natin ang ating pangakong itulak ang kaunlaran at kaginhawaan para sa ating mga kapus palad na kababayan," she said.

Robredo outlined people empowerment as one of her top priorities in her six-year term. She was also vocal on pursuing anti-poverty and pro-women advocacies.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II revealed the appointment on Thursday during a press briefing.

Earlier, Duterte said he would not give Robredo a position as it may hurt his alliance with Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who alleged he was cheated during the national elections.

When asked why the president had a change of heart, the Justice secretary said he could only speculate.

"I believe there was some sort of warming up between the two. In the newspaper it was reported that the past two meetings between the two are very amiable. So, I believe that was the key for the president to offer her a position and for the vice president to accept it," he said.

Aguirre said the president asked Robredo if she would accept the position over the phone after a reporter asked at a press conference whether Duterte plans to include the vice president in his Cabinet.

"We did not hear the answer of the vice president but from the face of the president we could say that the vice president accepted the offer," he said. 

The vice president was asked to report to the Cabinet meeting on Monday.

Other vice presidents who headed the HUDCC include Jejomar Binay and Noli de Castro.