(Eagle News) — Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo had tried to “apply” for a new Cabinet position before her recent pronouncement that she was willing to lead the united opposition against President Rodrigo Duterte’s government, according to a Palace spokesperson.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque revealed this as he also bid Robredo “luck” in her new role of trying to lead a united opposition against the President.
“Good luck po, at sana po ay malinaw na ang papel ni Leni Robredo dahil nitong kailan lamang po eh parang nag-a-apply muli siya sa Gabinete ni Presidente,” he said.
“So, ngayon at least mayroon na siyang desisyon na sa oposisyon na siya at hindi na siya umaasa na makapasok muli dito sa Gabinete ng ating Pangulo,” Roque said.
The Palace spokesperson said that now it is clear what the Vice-President really intends to do.
“Now, at least she has decided that she now belongs to the opposition and she is no longer hoping to rejoin the Cabinet of the president,” he said.
Roque also said Malacañang welcomed the decision of Robredo and believed that an active opposition has a role to play in “a healthy, well-functioning democracy.”
“Vice President Leni Robredo’s decision to lead the opposition movement against the Duterte administration is hardly surprising. After all, she is the highest elected member of the opposition,” he said.
The Presidential Spokesman then hoped the Robredo-led opposition would promote responsible and constructive debate and present an alternative platform to address the longstanding problems of the nation.
“Having said this, we expect that the opposition movement would not only promote responsible and constructive debate to push the national conversation to a higher level of political maturity but also present to our people a viable alternative platform of government to address the longstanding problems of the nation. Our people deserve no less,” he added.
