MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Leni Robredo joined President Rodrigo Duterte’s Cabinet meeting for the first time on Monday morning, July 11. 

Duterte asked Robredo to report to Malacañang and attend the Cabinet meeting last Thursday, July 7, upon appointing her as the new chief of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

The Vice President cleared her Monday schedule to be able to attend the Cabinet meeting. Robredo was supposed to deliver a speech at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) celebration of World Population Day but will be represented by her daughter Aika instead.

“As it is her first meeting, her initial aim is to get up to speed with the policy and work priorities of the administration. She is also looking forward to get to know and work with the other Cabinet members,” Robredo’s spokesperson Georgina Hernandez earlier said in a statement.

Robredo met with HUDCC officials last Friday, July 8, to study and prepare for her first Cabinet meeting. – Rappler.com