MANILA, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo said Sunday she is quitting from the Cabinet of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Robredo, who is the concurrent head of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), cited several reasons for resigning, but according to her the "last straw," which prompted her to quit was the directive for her not to attend anymore the Cabinet meetings.
"We received a text message last Saturday from Cabinet Secretary Jun Evasco Jr., relaying the President's instruction through (Special Assistant to the President Christopher) Bong Go for me 'to desist from attending all Cabinet meetings starting this Monday, December 5,'" she said in a statement.
"This is the last straw, because it makes it impossible for me to perform my duties. Hence, I am tendering my resignation from the Cabinet on Monday, December 5, 2016," said Robredo, who belongs to the opposition Liberal Party, the political party of former President Benigno Aquino III.
She admitted that from the very beginning, she and Duterte had "major differences in principles and values."
Since she assumed office, Robredo said she has been consistent in her opposition to issues such as the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, extra-judicial killings, reinstating death penalty, lowering the age of criminal liability, and sexual attacks against women.
Despite her resignation, she said the Filipinos could expect she would continue to support the positive initiatives of the Duterte administration and oppose those that are inimical to the people's interest.
"However, as your duly elected Vice President, I will not allow the Vice Presidency to be stolen. I will not allow the will of the people to be thwarted. I will continue to serve the Filipino family and fulfill their dream for a better life," she said.
