MANILA, Philippines - President Rodrigo Duterte has finally offered a Cabinet post for Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo.
Robredo, who was offered to lead the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), has accepted the post offered by Duterte through a phone call of the latter during a press conference at the Malacanang Palace.
According to Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, Robredo was tasked to report for the first Cabinet meeting on Monday.
"I believe both parties are happy with the decision. We could feel that many among present Cabinet members are also happy with the fact that, at last, the vice president is no longer an officer with no Cabinet position,” Aguirre told the media.
The two earlier meet in Malacanang this week. Aguirre believes that the “warming up between the two” was the key for the 71-year-old president to offer Robredo the position via phone call.
HUDCC, which is an agency under the immediate control and supervision of the President of the Philippines, coordinates the activities of government housing agencies to “ensure the accomplishment of the National Shelter Program.”
Section 3 Executive Order No. 90, 1986 states that the HUDCC must "formulate national objectives for housing and urban development; monitor, review and evaluate the effective exercise by these agencies of their assigned functions; assist in the maximum participation of the private sector in all aspects of housing and urban development.”
Earlier, Duterte announced he has no Cabinet post to offer Robredo, saying he did not know her very well and didn’t want to hurt the feelings of friend and former vice presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who was Robredo’s toughest rival in the race.
Despite Duterte’s earlier pronouncement, the widow of former DILG secretary Jesse Robredo said the President has the prerogative to select the people who can help him run the government.
“Whether with a position or not, I will strive to keep the promises I made to our people to the best of my ability,” Robredo said.
Past vice presidents Noli de Castro and Jejomar Binay also held the same post in the Arroyo and Aquino administrations, respectively.
--Mini, The Summit Express
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| Do you see a beautiful future for the Dubredo tandem? PHOTO CREDIT: RTVM |
According to Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, Robredo was tasked to report for the first Cabinet meeting on Monday.
"I believe both parties are happy with the decision. We could feel that many among present Cabinet members are also happy with the fact that, at last, the vice president is no longer an officer with no Cabinet position,” Aguirre told the media.
The two earlier meet in Malacanang this week. Aguirre believes that the “warming up between the two” was the key for the 71-year-old president to offer Robredo the position via phone call.
HUDCC, which is an agency under the immediate control and supervision of the President of the Philippines, coordinates the activities of government housing agencies to “ensure the accomplishment of the National Shelter Program.”
Section 3 Executive Order No. 90, 1986 states that the HUDCC must "formulate national objectives for housing and urban development; monitor, review and evaluate the effective exercise by these agencies of their assigned functions; assist in the maximum participation of the private sector in all aspects of housing and urban development.”
Earlier, Duterte announced he has no Cabinet post to offer Robredo, saying he did not know her very well and didn’t want to hurt the feelings of friend and former vice presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who was Robredo’s toughest rival in the race.
Despite Duterte’s earlier pronouncement, the widow of former DILG secretary Jesse Robredo said the President has the prerogative to select the people who can help him run the government.
“Whether with a position or not, I will strive to keep the promises I made to our people to the best of my ability,” Robredo said.
Past vice presidents Noli de Castro and Jejomar Binay also held the same post in the Arroyo and Aquino administrations, respectively.
--Mini, The Summit Express
