Robredo on Meeting with Duterte: 'Nothing Special'
Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday downplayed her meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte, saying there was "nothing special" about it.
The meeting, which took place on Sunday at the Malacañan Palace, was the first time the two leaders have met since Robredo's appointment as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) in June.
"It was just a courtesy call," Robredo said in a statement. "We talked about the pandemic and the IATF's efforts. It was a brief meeting, and there was nothing special about it."
The meeting came amid ongoing tensions between the two leaders, who have clashed on a number of issues, including the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Robredo's appointment to the IATF was seen by many as a sign of Duterte's willingness to reach out to the opposition. However, some observers have suggested that the meeting was simply a way for Duterte to keep Robredo in check.
The meeting also came just days after Duterte's daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, launched her own presidential bid. Some have speculated that the meeting was a way for Duterte to signal his support for his daughter's candidacy.
However, both Robredo and Duterte have denied that the meeting was about politics. "It was just a working meeting," Duterte said in a statement. "We talked about the pandemic and how we can work together to solve it."
Despite the downplaying of the meeting, it is likely to be seen as a significant event. It is the first time that the two leaders have met since Robredo's appointment to the IATF, and it comes at a time of heightened political tension in the country.
The meeting also highlights the complex relationship between the two leaders. While they have clashed on a number of issues, they have also worked together on some occasions. The meeting suggests that there is still room for cooperation between the two, despite their differences.
It remains to be seen what impact the meeting will have on the political landscape in the Philippines. However, it is clear that the meeting is a significant event, and it will be closely watched by Filipinos in the coming weeks and months.
