PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday greeted Vice President Leni Robredo on his arrival at the Fajardo Grandstand on Borromeo Field for the graduation exercises of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 2017.
Robredo was seated just a seat away from him, and he shook her hand and apologized to her for failing to mention her in his speech.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana was seated in between them.
Ahead of Duterte’s arrival, Robredo was seen in a huddle with National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.
It was Duterte and Robredo’s second meeting in public since Robredo resigned as Housing secretary in December 2016 after she was barred from attending Cabinet meetings.
The first event they attended together this year was the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council meeting in Malacañang in January.
Duterte was reading his prepared speech when he said he failed to mention Robredo.
“I apologize, ma’am. It was not done. Ang nagsulat ma’am dito hindi ka sinali. Bugbugin na lang natin,” Duterte said.
“I would like to apologize and acknowledge the presence of this beautiful lady, the Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines. Sorry ma’am, ha? Nawala na ako tuloy, ma’am.”
The crowd applauded Duterte after his apology.