There was no apparent friction when President Duterte met Vice President Leni Robredo for the second time.
The Vice President paid a closed-door courtesy call on the President in Malacañang yesterday afternoon, a few days after their cordial encounter at the Armed Forces change of command in Quezon City.
The two leaders shook hands and exchanged pleasantries at the start of their meeting at the Study Room in Malacanang.
A short video clip of Robredo’s courtesy call on Duterte was shared on YouTube by the state-owned Radio Television Malacañang. Robredo was heard thanking Duterte for agreeing to meet with her.
The RTVM video also showed Duterte escorting the Vice President to her vehicle. When Robredo bowed and shook Duterte’s hand, the President asked the Vice President not to bow before him. He said he was embarrassed when people give him too much reverence, saying it was not necessary.
As of press time, the President’s communication officials could not not provide details of the President’s meeting with Robredo since they were not privy to the event.
Robredo was initially welcomed by Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go at the Palace before proceeding to the Study Room for the meeting with Duterte.
Early in the day, Malacanang kept a tight lid about the President’s activity for the day.
It initially advised the media about a possible Cabinet meeting in the Palace on Monday. The media, however, later learned from outside sources that Duterte was scheduled to meet with the Vice President in the afternoon.
(Genalyn D. Kabiling)