VICE President Leni Robredo takes charge as Housing czar after President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday appointed her to head the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council during a Cabinet meeting.
In a delayed broadcast, Duterte announced Robredo’s appointment after a reporter from the government station PTV4 pressed him if he would consider appointing her to a government post.
“Nahihiya na ako ma’am, nakikinig ang buong Cabinet,” Duterte told Robredo by cellphone.
“Kasi para matigil na itong tanung-tanong. Pwede ka sa Housing ma’am? Can you be the Housing Secretary? Tanggapin mo ma’am? Yes. The [Executive Secretary] will hand you the appointment para mahinto na ‘to ma’am.”
Duterte and Robredo appeared to have broken the ice after meeting for the first time at the AFP’s Change of Command last week, followed by a courtesy visit by Robredo on Monday.
Duterte and Robredo held separate inaugurations on Thursday, a first in Philippine history.
The working relationship between Duterte and Robredo became strained after Duterte expressed his “non-committal” stance about giving Robredo a post in his official family.
Duterte said he would not appoint Robredo to his Cabinet owing to his relationship with Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as well as her being a member of the Liberal Party.
Duterte had previously said his relationship with Robredo “could not be the starring role.”
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said Duterte might have reconsidered his position against Robredo following their meeting.
“The meeting between the two has been very amiable. That was the key for the President to offer her a position and the VP to accept it,” he said.
Robredo thanked the President for appointing her to the position.
“Nagpapasalamat tayo kay Presidente Rodrigo Duterte na itinalaga tayo bilang Tagapangulo ng Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council,” she said in a statement.