Philippine VP quits Cabinet due to conflicts with Duterte
The Philippine vice president resigned her Cabinet post Monday after citing irreconcilable differences with President Rodrigo Duterte, who had banned her from attending Cabinet meetings, in a new political dilemma for the leader. Robredo, who stepped down as housing secretary but will stay on as vice president, spoke of "major differences in principles and values" with the brash-talking president and an unspecified plot to remove her from the vice presidency. There was no immediate reaction from Duterte.
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.
A human rights lawyer and respected political newcomer, Robredo said Sunday that she would stay on in her elected post as vice president. She was set to hold a news conference later Monday to explain her action. In the Philippines, presidents and vice presidents are separately elected and often come from rival political parties, like Duterte and Robredo.
