Duterte asks Robredo to head HUDCC

President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Vice President Leni Robredo chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), a post also previously held by the former vice president.

This was announced by Malacañang days after Robredo paid a courtesy call on Duterte.

"The Vice President has accepted the offer and she was asked to report for the first Cabinet meeting on Monday," Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre said at the Palace.

The HUDCC post was previously held by former Vice President Jejomar Binay. 

The President had earlier balked at giving Robredo a Cabinet post because of his friendship with losing vice presidential candidate Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

Leni thanks Digong

In a statement, Robredo said the post will further push the work they wish to do for those at the "fringes of society."

"Nagpapasalamat tayo kay Presidente Rodrigo Duterte na itinalaga tayo bilang Tagapangulo ng Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council," she said.

"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 added.

‘Warming up’

Aguirre said there was “some sort of warming up” between the top two officials when they met at Malacañang, and at Camp Aguinaldo for the change of command ceremony of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) last week.

“The past two meetings between the two are very amiable. I believe that was the key for the President to offer her a position and for the Vice President to accept it,” Aguirre said.

“There must be some reconsideration of the decision so here we are, I think this is very good for the country,” Aguirre said. 

‘Televised telephone call’

A pre-recorded footage of the President's briefing, aired on the government-owned PTV-4, showed Duterte calling Robredo on the phone after a reporter asked him about the Vice President getting a post in his administration.

"Tinatanong ng Malacañang press kung bibigyan ko raw kayo ng puwesto sa Gabinete," Duterte said on the phone.

The responses on the other line could not be heard, but Duterte went on.

"Alam mo, ma'am, kasi tinawagan kita para matapos na 'tong tanong tanong... Kaya nga, e, ma'am. O, do not be apologetic, but gusto ko na 'tong itanong. Puwede ka Housing, ma'am? Can you be the Housing secretary?"

“Tanggapin mo mam? ….Yes….Wag na ma’am. The Executive Secretary will hand you the appointment so mahinto na ito ma’am kasi, kasi tatanggapin mo ma’am kaya?”

“Sige ma’am so that you’d be on time with next Cabinet meeting and even on security matters para you’ll be kept abreast on whats happening on the country,” Duterte said before  ending the call. —with Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/NB/JST, GMA News