Duterte offers Cabinet post to Robredo

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Duterte offers Cabinet post to Robredo

Thea Alberto Masakayan,

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated Jul 07, 2016 08:52 PM PHT

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Vice President Leni Robredo and Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte

MANILA (2nd UPDATE) - President Rodrigo Duterte has offered Vice President Leni Robredo a Cabinet post.

Robredo, who met with Duterte in Malacanang earlier this week, was offered to lead the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, in a press briefing in Malacanang, said the vice president accepted the offer.

"She was tasked to report for the first Cabinet meeting on Monday," Aguirre said.

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"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," he added.

Robredo, in a separate statement, said she is thankful for the appointment, which gives her a chance to fulfill more responsibilities.

"Mas mapaglilingkuran natin ang ating mga kababayang walang tahanan at maipagpapatuloy natin ang ating pangakong itulak ang kaunlaran at kaginhawaan para sa ating mga kapus palad na kababayan," she said in a statement.

Aguirre said the offer was made in a phone call made by Duterte to Robredo on Thursday.

CHANGE OF HEART

When asked what made Duterte change his mind in appointing Robredo to a post, Aguirre said recent events led to a "warming up between the two."

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"The meeting between the two was very amiable. I believe that was the key for the president to offer her a position," he added.

After winning the May 9 presidential election, Duterte said he would not appoint Robredo due to his close ties with then-Senator Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., Robredo's closest opponent in the vice-presidential poll.

Duterte and Robredo also held separate inaugurations on June 30, indicating the lukewarm relationship between the two leaders.

But things changed when they first met personally at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Change of Command last week.

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The two met again in a courtesy call in Malacanang last Monday when Robredo expressed her support for Duterte.

HUDDC, an agency "under the immediate control and supervision of the President of the Philippines, is charged with the main function of coordinating the activities of the government housing agencies to ensure the accomplishment of the National Shelter Program."

The agency, according to Section 3 Executive Order No. 90, 1986 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."

Former Vice Presidents Noli de Castro and Jojo Binay held the same post in the Arroyo and Aquino administration, respectively.

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