MANILA, Philippines – Despite the rift between them, Vice President Leni Robredo still plans to reach out to President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Ako naman, mag-ri-reach out pa rin ako kay President kasi tingin ko obligation ko na maging supportive sa kanya,” Robredo said on Wednesday, December 7. 

(As for me, I will still reach out to the President because I think it is my obligation to be supportive to him.)

Robredo said, however, that her views on key issues remain the same.

“Hindi ko ipagpapalit ang aking desisyon, kasi ang mga bagay na hindi namin pinagkakaintindihan sigurado ako sa conviction ko doon,” she said.

(I won’t change my decision, because I am sure of my convictions when it comes to the things we don’t agree on.)

Malacañang previously said Robredo’s exclusion from Cabinet meetings stemmed from her “irreconcilable differences” with the President. (READ: LIST: Where Duterte and Robredo part ways) 

Robredo also earlier said her opposition to the hero’s burial for the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos may have been the clincher. Aside from the Marcos burial, the President and the Vice President also don’t see eye to eye on the administration’s bloody war on drugs and the proposal to revive the death penalty, among others.

Robredo resigned last Monday, December 5, as Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) chairperson after Duterte – through a text message sent by Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr – ordered her to stop attending Cabinet meetings.

This text message was “the last straw” for Robredo, who felt that she was already being “eased out” of the Cabinet. The Vice President also noted the alleged lack of support for housing initiatives.

Despite her resignation as HUDCC chairperson, Robredo has said housing will continue to be among her priorities. (READ: Robredo: Not a time for fear, but a time for courage) – Rappler.com