#Dubredo or the Duterte-Robredo tandem trended online after Vice President Leni Robredo thanked President Duterte for commending her relief efforts amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis in the country.
“The Office of Vice President Leni Robredo on Saturday expressed gratitude to President Duterte for his statement supporting their efforts to help those affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak,” said Robredo’s camp in a statement on Saturday.
In his public address on Friday evening, Duterte acknowledged Robredo’s initiatives to help the frontliners and the needy during the national health crisis.
“Si Leni was calling the private sector na magtulong. Naghingi siya ng tulong. Tama ‘yan. Maghingi ka ng tulong sa kapwa mo tao,” he said.
The president also announced that he fired Presidential Anti-Corruption Commissioner Manuelito Luna, who sought an NBI probe on Robredo for allegedly “competing” with the national government’s response to COVID-19.
“Ako, when panahon na i-criticize ko si Leni, sometimes the language that I use is very… Pero itong panahon na ito na wala namang kasalanan ‘yung Vice President. Nag-ano nga na magtulong. Bakit ipa-imbestiga mo?” said Duterte.
Among the Office of the Vice President’s initiatives were providing personal protective equipment, free shuttle service and dorm for healthcare workers and other frontliners.
“We continue to work hard to meet all of these requests. With the help and generosity of private citizens, we are doing out best to provide for those who need it. But our resources are limited and the demand is huge,” Robredo added.
Several netizens welcomed the positive statements of the two top officials who are usually being pitted against each other. They said that it is “the kind of unity that we need” as the country is fighting against a pandemic. Others hope that the tandem will continue to work hand in hand in the days to come.
