Leni: Not for Duterte to say if I'm qualified to run for President

It's not for President Rodrigo Duterte to say whether or not she was qualified to run for President, Vice President Leni Robredo said on Tuesday night.

Robredo made the remark a day after Duterte said that she didn't have what it takes to be President.

“Hindi naman siya ang magdedesisyon kung qualified ko o hindi,” Robredo said when asked about Duterte's words.

“Taumbayan ang magdedesisyon,” she added.

Duterte last week said the US had to pay the Philippines for its presence in the country under the Visiting Forces Agreement.

Over the weekend, Robredo said Duterte's remarks on US payment was akin to extortion.

Duterte didn't take Robredo's remarks too kindly.

Saying US soldiers show and teach Filipino troops how to use modern military equipment only to bring them all home once the joint exercises were finished, Duterte said, “Pagkaalam ni Robredo, nothing’s wrong with America and the Philippines."

"Ikaw ma’am, I’m sorry to say you are not really qualified to run for president, you do not know your role in this government,” Duterte said.

Robredo held a press conference on Tuesday night hours after the Supreme Court sitting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal dismissed with defeated vice presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s election protest.

Robredo said Duterte's statements did not throw her off from serving out her mandate.

“Nakakalungkot, pero hindi tayo nagpapaapekto,” Robredo said.

Listening leader

The vice president emphasized that it is better for a nation and its people if their leader listens and is open to suggestions.

“Pero ‘yung sa akin lang, makakabuti sa atin lahat pag nakikinig, 'pag nakikinig sa mungkahi, nakikinig sa pagpansin ng ibang mga polisiya,” she said.

“Kasi pinakita ng buong mundo, pinakita ng buong mundo, lalo ngayong panahon ng krisis na ‘yung mga leaders na marunong magkonsulta, ‘yung mga leaders na marunong na tumanggap ng mga pagkukulang, na ‘yung mga leaders na marunong makinig sa mas consultative, mas maayos ‘yung response,” she added.-With a report from Joahna Lei Casilao/NB, GMA News