Robredo Explains Meeting with Duterte: 'Nothing Politically Motivated'
Vice President Leni Robredo has clarified that her recent meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte was not politically motivated, emphasizing that the meeting focused on "issues of national concern." This statement comes after the meeting sparked speculation about a possible shift in political alliances ahead of the 2022 elections.
"It was not a political meeting," Robredo told reporters on Tuesday, "Our discussion focused on issues that affect all Filipinos, particularly the pandemic and its impact on the economy." She further emphasized that the meeting was "not about the upcoming elections" and that her primary concern was "helping the Filipino people" during these challenging times.
The meeting, which took place on Monday at Malacañang Palace, was the first of its kind between the two leaders since Robredo took office in 2016. It was also the first time they met since the President publicly criticized the Vice President for her role in the opposition.
"We talked about the government's response to the pandemic," Robredo said, "We discussed the need for a unified approach to address the economic challenges facing the country. We also talked about the importance of a strong and credible vaccine rollout program."
Although Robredo did not disclose specific details of the discussion, she expressed "positive developments" and a "shared sense of urgency" to tackle the problems faced by the country.
The meeting has generated considerable attention and speculation, particularly with the 2022 elections just around the corner. Some observers have interpreted the meeting as a sign of a possible rapprochement between the two leaders, or even a potential shift in political alliances. However, Robredo has been firm in her stance, stating that "the meeting was purely about addressing national concerns."
"I believe that we can put aside our political differences and work together for the benefit of the Filipino people," she added. "It is our duty to address the challenges we face, regardless of our political affiliations."
Robredo's statement, while attempting to dispel political interpretations, has not entirely extinguished the speculations. Only time will tell if this meeting will indeed be the first step towards a more collaborative relationship between the two leaders or simply a one-time occurrence.
