Vice president-elect Leni Robredo leads a Holy Mass in commemoration of her late husband Sec. Jesse Robredo’s 58th birthday Friday at Eternal Gardens in Naga City, hours before Congress finished canvassing of votes for president and vice president. Robredo’s victory was affirmed when she garnered 14,418,817 votes, 263,473 votes ahead of closest rival Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who got 14,155,344.(MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – President-elect Rodrigo Duterte would pursue at least a cordial, professional relationship with Vice President-elect Leni Robredo, his spokesman said.
Newly-instated Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said though no meeting is set at the moment between the two officials, he is hopeful they will be able to meet soon and start a working relationship.
“I don’t know about the exact date or plans, but I’m sure that the president, being president of the entire nation, is quite open to having a cordial relationship with the vice-president. Or at least more than cordial, but at least they have a working relationship,” he said.
But Abella said he is not privy to what could be the nature of their relationship at the moment.
Duterte and Robredo will be hosting two separate ceremonies for their inauguration set at the end of the month.
Duterte’s aide, Christopher “Bong” Go, said the “limited slots” in Malacañang, where Duterte wants to be inaugurated, will not allow Robredo to invite as many guests as she wanted.
Boyet Dy, head of Robredo’s transition team, said they respect the Duterte camp’s decision and will begin their own preparations for a simple and modest ceremony reported to be held in Metro Manila.
She will be sworn in by Ronaldo D. Coner, the village chief of Barangay Punta Tarawal, Calabanga – the poorest barangay in Camarines Sur.
Meanwhile, Abella was not able to dish out details on Duterte’s incoming inauguration, but echoed that it will indeed be simple.
“I don’t know the details, but based on what he does and what he says, he’d really want to make sure that it is done….he is not a very pompous person, he does not stand on ceremonies, but he appreciates order,” he said.