Leni not amused with Duterte's plane crash joke

MANILA - Vice President Leni Robredo said she did not find President Rodrigo Duterte's joke about dying in a plane crash funny, considering what happened to her late husband, former interior and local government secretary Jesse Robredo.

"Ako nung una natatawa ako. Pero 'yung hindi yata ako natawa 'yung sinabi niya sa Bukidnon na winiwish ko na bumagsak 'yung eroplano niya. Ako nawalan ako ng asawa dahil bumagsak yung eroplano. Hindi 'yun biro," Robredo told reporters on the sidelines of a youth leaders summit in General Trias, Cavite.

(It was funny at first. But when he said in jest in Bukidnon that I may be wishing for his plane to crash, that was not funny. I lost my husband to a plane crash and that was not supposed to be funny).

Robredo said she was not amused with the joke, especially since Duterte seemed to imply that she was wishing something bad to happen to him.

"Unang una, biro 'yun o may pinaparating sa atin kasi kung medyo seryoso siya sa alegasyon na parang gusto niyang lumabas na ninanais natin na may masamang mangyari sa kanya, mali naman yata 'yun," she said.

(That joke may be implying I am hoping that tragedy struck Duterte. That's not correct).

• READ: Rody and Leni's irreconcilable differences

Robredo reiterated that despite their differences, she was always ready to support Duterte.

"Parati naman nating sinasabing nandiyan tayo para sumuporta, kaya nga tinanggap natin yung posisyon natin sa Gabinete. Gusto nating ipakita na sa gitna nang hindi naman pagkakaintindihan sa maraming isyu, nandiyan tayo para sumuporta. Ako yung kanyang pangalawang pangulo, pero yung pangulo, siya," she said.

The Vice President also said she hopes that Duterte will also listen to those who do not agree with his policies.

"Nais lang natin pakinggan niya din yung mga boses ng mga hindi natin pagsangayon sa polisiya niya pero hindi 'yun nangangahulugan na ninanais natin na may mangyaring masama sa kanya," Robredo said.

In December 5, Robredo resigned from Duterte's Cabinet, following a text message from Cabinet Secretary Jun Evasco, Jr., relaying the President's instruction through his executive assistant Bong Go for Robredo “to desist from attending all Cabinet meetings."

"This is the last straw, because it makes it impossible for me to perform my duties. Hence, I am tendering my resignation from the Cabinet on Monday, December 5, 2016. With this resignation, you can expect that I will continue to support the positive initiatives of this administration and oppose those that are inimical to the people’s interest," Robredo had said.

'Duterte's health is of national interest'

Meanwhile, Robredo wishes only the best for Duterte when it comes to his health.

"Ako, kailangan kasi natin magpalakas siya para sa atin kasi 'yung may mandato na mag-lead sa atin, siya," she said.

"Hindi ko pa nakita 'yung kanyang statement pero isang matter of national interest na naiintindihan din natin kung ano 'yung pinagdadaanan niya. Winiwish natin na sana kung ano man 'yung nararamdaman ng ating pangulo, malagpasan niya ito. Siya yung ating inihalal na mamumuno sa atin, kailangan malakas 'yung ating Pangulo," Robredo added.

• READ: Duterte says he suffers from back pains, migraine