MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Leni Robredo apologized to her predecessor Jejomar Binay for her remarks about her dedication and work ethic as former chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC). 

“Siguro mali iyong pagkakasabi ko. Siguro ang pagkakasabi ko is just to emphasize na iyong passion at iyong commitment, at iyong hard work na pinu-push ko siguro hindi naman matatawaran,” Robredo said on Wednesday, December 7.

(Maybe the way I said it was not right. I made those remarks just to emphasize that my passion, commitment, and hard work cannot be discounted.)

“That is not in reference to parang tatawaran iyong pagod ng iba. Mali lang siguro ang aking pagkakasabi at nag-a-apologize din ako,” she added.

(That is not in reference to belittling the efforts of other people. Maybe I just said it the wrong way and I am also apologizing.)

Binay’s spokesperson Joey Salgado had issued a statement on Tuesday, December 6, criticizing Robredo as “unfair and self-serving” after she said she was probably the only HUDCC chairperson who personally attended board meetings and worked extended hours.

Salgado said former housing chiefs, Binay included, “have longer, more tangible lists of accomplishments despite smaller budgets, politicking within the Cabinet, and what [Robredo] described as the ‘institutional weakness’ of the agency.”

Binay headed HUDCC for 5 years under the Aquino administration, but resigned in June 2015. Binay’s predecessor, Noli de Castro, was also HUDCC chief during the Arroyo administration. – Rappler.com