Tacloban City (CNN Philippines) — Vice President Leni Robredo found the subject of her love life as the icebreaker in what could have been a somber speech by President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday.
Robredo was with Duterte for activities commemorating the third year since super typhoon Yolanda (international code name: Haiyan) struck Tacloban. The city, which is the capital of the province of Leyte, was ground zero of the most powerful storm ever to hit land.
"You guys, you take your orders from her," he said. "And the same order that she’s supposed to finish her job on time.”
Duterte then kidded with Robredo about her love life.
"Sa bagay, pupunta rin ako dito kasi nandito si Vice President eh," he said. "Kung saan siya nagpunta, nagpasunod-sunod ako."
[Translation: Besides, I would come here because the Vice President is here. Wherever she goes, I follow.]
"Ma’am, balita ko may boyfriend ka na?," Duterte said, addressing Robredo, who shook her head and smiled.
"Do not be offended, pero ‘yung sabi nila hindi ‘yun totoo? Kung totoo ‘yun, Ma’am, eh magpatay na congressman na ba ako para ma-biyuda uli,” he added.
[Translation: Ma'am, I heard that you have a boyfriend already? Do not be offended, but they said that wasn't true? If that were true, should I kill a congressman so that you would be a widow again?]
The Vice President was widowed in 2012 when her husband, former Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, died in a plane crash.
During the President’s speech, Robredo was on stage with other government officials including her rival for Vice President, former senator Bongbong Marcos. This was the first time they shared the stage since the vice presidential debate in March.
Tacloban is also the hometown of Marcos' mother, Imelda.
Speaking to reporters after the event, Robredo said she was getting used to the President's teasing.
"Actually, nasasanay na ako kay Presidente," she said. "Parati ako nagiging pulutan. Gaya ng sabi niya, pabirong pagsabi."
[Translation: Actually, I'm getting used to the President. I'm always picked on. As he said, it was said as a joke.]
Saddened by Marcos burial decision
Robredo also told reporters that she was saddened by the Supreme Court's decision on Tuesday to allow the burial of the late President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
"Nirerespeto naman natin yung Supreme Court, pero malungkot," she said. "From the very start naman, pinahayag ko na yung opposition ko dun. Tingin ko kasi, hindi ito isang legal issue lang. It's also a moral one. Yung repercussions nito in the future, napakalaki."
[Translation: We respect the Supreme Court, but it's so sad. From the very start, I already expressed my opposition to the burial. I think this isn't just a legal issue. It's also a moral one. The repercussions of this in the future are huge.]
CNN Philippines Senior Correspondent Ina Andolong contributed to this report.
SOURCE: CNN Philippines
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