TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Philippine vice president resigned from her Cabinet post on Monday, December 5, 2016, after citing irreconcilable differences with President Rodrigo Duterte, who had banned her from attending Cabinet meetings, in a new political dilemma for the leader.
Leni Robredo, who stepped down from his position as housing secretary, will stay on as vice president. Robredo spoke of "major differences in principles and values" with the brash-talking president and an unspecified plot to remove her from the vice presidency.
In her resignation letter, Robredo told Duterte that she "exerted all effort to put aside our differences, maintain a professional working relationship and work effectively despite the constraints." But she said Duterte's order banning her from Cabinet meetings had made it impossible for her to do her job at the housing agency.
"Remaining in your Cabinet has become untenable," she said in the letter.
Robredo, who is a human rights lawyer and political newcomer, said on Sunday, December 4, 2016, that she would stay on in her elected post as vice president.
"I will not allow the vice presidency to be stolen. I will not allow the will of the people to be thwarted," Robredo said in a statement on Sunday, December 4, 2016, as quoted by The Associated Press.
AP
