Robredo on Duterte’s ‘admiration’: It’s just the President being funny

Vice President Leni Robredo downplayed President Rodrigo Duterte's remarks on her beauty, saying it was just one of the Chief Executive's ways to lighten the mood during long Cabinet meetings.

The President was quoted to have said during the recent National Security Council meeting that he found Robredo beautiful.

He has been making similar pronouncements, including in a speech before soldiers at a military camp in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur, where he said it will be difficult to listen to a beautiful president.

"I think pinapasaya lang siguro ni Presidente 'yung mga kausap niya," Robredo said about the matter at a press conference on Tuesday.

‘Very gentlemanly’

The Vice President said Duterte has been "very gentlemanly," attentive and serious about work during Cabinet meetings.

"Tingin ko pinapasaya niya lang ang mga kausap. Mayroong isang Cabinet meeting na biniro niya rin ako patungkol diyan. Tapos nag-alala siya na sabi niya, 'I'm sorry, baka na-offend ka na.' Sabi ko, 'Okay lang po, Mr. President,'" Robredo said.

"Tingin ko baka mas joke time lang 'yon," he added.

Robredo previously laughed at suggestions circulating in thesocial media that pegged her and Duterte as a "love team," when they finally met after they were sworn in via separate inauguration rites.

She said this must be because many were "relieved" that they seemed to get along during their encounter.

The President had initially said he wasn't keen on meeting Robredo, nor giving her a Cabinet post, given his friendship with her closest rival, former Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

The Vice President finally booked a courtesy visit at Malacañang a weekend after their first meeting, where she said the President asked her to help in running the government.

Within a week after their first meeting, Duterte asked Robredo to be part of his Cabinet, as head of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

Duterte has repeatedly said he wasn't worried about security threats against him because he felt secure in having Robredo as his successor.  —NB, GMA News