Philippines’ VP quits Cabinet post

Citing "major differences" with President Rodrigo Duterte, the outspoken Vice President of the Philippines, Leni Robredo, quit her Cabinet post on Monday.

Robredo submitted her  letter of  resignation to the Malacanang Palace,  Manila's seat of power, citing that Duterte’s order for her to "desist from attending all Cabinet meetings" has "made it impossible for me to do my job."

Robredo's office sent out a tweet on Monday, saying the letter was received by the Office of the Executive Secretary past 9 am.

Robredo first announced her resignation from the Cabinet late Sunday, citing “major differences” with Duterte and suspicions that a plot was underway to unseat her from the country’s No. 2 two job.

Robredo said she had clashed with Duterte over his policies, including his war on drugs and his push to reinstate the death penalty.

The Vice President, widow of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, has been vocal in her criticisms of Duterte, including over his "improper" public remarks about her appearance and private life.

Robredo, 52, a lawyer and social activist, said she joined the Cabinet because she believed helping the poor was one thing she and Duterte could agree on.

“From the very beginning, the president and I had major differences in principles and values,” she added.

Robredo, who came from the party of previous president, Benigno Aquino, claimed receiving a text message on Saturday from secretary to the Cabinet Leoncio “Jun” Evasco Jr. “relaying [President Rodrigo Duterte’s] instruction through [special assistant to the president Christopher “Bong”] Go for me ‘to desist from attending all Cabinet meetings’ beginning Monday.

“This is the last straw, because it makes it impossible for me to perform my duties,” Robredo said in her statement that she opened with the words: “We had hoped this day would not come.”

In a Facebook post, former Akbayan party-list representative Barry Gutierrez showed a photo of Evasco’s text message to Robredo.

Robredo defeated by a narrow margin Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the son and namesake of the late dictator overthrown in a 1986 revolt.

Her election in May was dogged by allegations by Marcos Jr that the vote count was rigged to ensure the Robredo's Liberal Party had a stake in Duterte's executive.

Robredo was especially critical of last month's burial of his father at a "heroes' cemetery", saying it was an insult to the memory of those who suffered under the martial law Marcos imposed in 1972, in what was one of the darkest chapters of Philippine history.

Duterte supported the burial of Marcos, who was widely accused of brutality and plunder and enriching his cronies and family, which remains influential in politics

source : gulfnews