VP Binay visits Leni Robredo, warns of controversies during her term as VP

Outgoing Vice President Jejomar Binay shares a light moment with Vice President-elect Leni Robredo at her residence in Quezon City. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the Vice President)

Outgoing Vice President Jejomar Binay on Monday visited Vice President-elect Leni Robredo at her residence in Quezon City to congratulate the Liberal Party stalwart several weeks after the May 9 elections.

Binay, who was at the receiving end of allegations of corruption in the last two years of his term, warned Robredo that controversies were bound to come her way as the second highest elected official.

“Marami pang intrigang darating,” Binay told Robredo.

It was Binay who initiated the meeting, according to a press release from the Office of the Vice President.

Binay also told Robredo to "always consider your office a public office and that people will go to you for assistance.”

The incumbent official made the statement when Robredo asked if he thought the OVP's budget was enough to accommodate all the people asking for medical assistance.

Since the meeting coincided with the Robredo couple’s 29th wedding anniversary,  they shared a meal of bihon, Bicol express, and gulay na santol.

“Kailangan n’yo pong kumain kasi wedding anniversary namin ngayon,” Robredo jokingly told Binay during the meeting.

Robredo thanked Binay for leaving the bulk of the OVP’s budget for 2016 intact.

During the meeting, Robredo also said she hoped to equal Binay’s stamina.

“Ang sipag n’yo ho mag-ikot. ‘Yong mga lugar na akala ko ako pa lang ang nakapunta, sinasabi ng nga tao, galing na si VP Binay dito. Tapos ‘yong ibang lugar, hindi lang isang beses n’yo pinuntahan,” she told Binay.

“Masipag ako pero hindi ko alam kung kaya ko yung ginagawa n'yo,” she added.

She also said that she intentionally has not visited the Coconut Palace because she did not want to risk being tempted by the view.

“Hindi na po ako nagpunta sa Coconut Palace kasi baka ma-tempt pa ako. Sabi ng staff ko ang ganda raw kasi,” Robredo said.

“Maganda kasi ang sunset doon,” Binay replied.

The private meeting was also attended by OVP Chief of Staff Usec. Benjamin E. Martinez, Jr., Robredo transition team head Boyet Dy, and Malou Tiquia. —NB/KG, GMA News