Robredo on Panelo: He and Duterte should talk so that they will say the same thing

Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday laughed off presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo's criticism of her, saying that when President Rodrigo Duterte says one thing, Panelo says something different.

"Nagsabi si Pangulo na i-set aside iyong arbitral ruling; ang sabi niya [Panelo] hindi iyon iyong gustong sabihin. So talagang tama siya: litong-lito ako," she said on her radio show.

"Si Presidential Spokesperson, spokesperson siya ng Pangulo. Dapat pareho iyong sinasabi nila," she added.

Joint WPS exploration issue

Last Thursday, Robredo questioned Duterte's statement that he planned to "ignore" the Philippines' arbitral victory against China's expansive claims in the South China Sea for the sake of "economic activity," including a 60-40 joint oil and gas exploration with China in the disputed sea.

Calling Duterte's remark “profoundly disappointing and extremely irresponsible,” Robredo stressed that the Constitution already allows the government to enter into such agreements as long as they lead to the country's economic growth: “Why, then, was this reckless pronouncement made?”

In response, Panelo on Friday derided Robredo's advisers and what he called Robredo's "nitpicking." He said that what Duterte meant by his statement was that he wanted to focus on exploring something that would benefit the people while the administration engages China in negotiations.

"What is 'profoundly disappointing and extremely irresponsible,' to borrow her words, is her evolving penchant of finding fault in every word the President says, as well as issuing misplaced and flamboyant remarks against it," he added.

On Sunday, Robredo countered this, saying that public servants have an obligation to voice their concerns.

"[T]ayo, hindi lang basta kumontra, pero sinisiguro natin na bilang lingkod-bayan, mayroon tayong obligasyon na kapag may masamang pahayag o may masamang nangyayari, kailangan tayong magboses. Kahit pa sila magalit sa atin," she said.

Robredo also stressed that it was very clear what Duterte said.

"[K]laro iyong transcript, lumabas ito sa lahat na pahayagan. Hindi ito parang tsinambahan natin. Bago tayo naglabas ng pahayag, tiningnan natin iyong lahat na transcript, at klarong-klaro iyong sinabi ng Pangulo," she said.

However, she said, "ngayon hinihimas, hinihimas ng presidential spokesperson, na hindi iyon iyong gustong sabihin."

She added, "Kung hindi iyon iyong gustong sabihin, dapat sana hindi sinabi. ‘Di ba? Kasi kapag sinabi mo, kapag pahayag ng Pangulo, policy na iyan ng bansa, eh."

Robredo also said that it is becoming customary in the current administration for the presidential spokesperson to "correct" the President's statements.

"Baka sa susunod, pag-usapan na nila kung ano ba talaga," she said.

Robredo, who leads the opposition to the Duterte administration, has been on the receiving end of frequent jibes from the President and his allies. — BM, GMA News