Cavite (CNN Philippines, March 24) — With their political differences more pronounced than ever, President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Leni Robredo chose to stay cordial, in their first public appearance together since impeachment talks surfaced.
The country’s top two government officials were present during Friday’s graduation ceremony of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA).
They showed no signs of discord as they sat together for the three-hour ceremony.
They shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. He engages her in a brief chat, until she had to step back.
But Duterte appeared to order Interior Secretary Mike Sueno to give way, even personally clearing the seat beside him for Robredo.
Before the PNPA graduation ceremony began, Sueno was assigned to sit between Duterte and Robredo. This was the same arrangement during the Philippine Military Academy graduation last March 12, where Defense Secretary Delfin Lorezana sat between the two leaders.
That was also the same event where Duterte almost failed to acknowledge Robredo in his speech, contrary to normal practice.
Since then, they have been the subject of impeachment talks. Robredo became more outspoken about the administration’s campaign against drugs.
Duterte – who also started taking swipes at her in a number of events here and abroad – accused her of being too eager to take over his office, and as one of those behind the ouster plot against him.
But there was no visible sign of any rift during the PNPA event.
Duterte presented the Presidential Kampilan Award to the class topnotcher, while Robredo handed out a counterpart of that award to the second placer.
In Duterte’s prepared speech, he skipped the usual greeting of guests.
It was, however, a chance to re-tell a favorite joke about policemen having many wives.
“Bakit kayo ganon? Mayor ng Davao tatlo lang, kayo apat, klase. Kukumpetensya kayo e,” he said.
After the ceremony, the President immediately left for his next event, while the Vice-President declined to take any questions from the media.
