By Raymund Antonio

They are in good terms, after all.

Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo said President Rodrigo Duterte doesn’t take against her when she speaks out or opposes his position.

“We are good,” she said last weekend when asked about her relationship with Duterte after the November 8 incident in Tacloban City.

Robredo, who worked as lawyer for victims of human rights abuses and women, said she met Duterte at the recent National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board meeting.

“When we saw each other there, it was like he made light of the statement,” she said.

The vice president took offense on Duterte’s remarks about ogling her knees during a Cabinet meeting. The President also teased her about her rumored boyfriend.

In a statement, she described it as “tasteless remarks” and “inappropriate advances” on women, especially when it comes from the country’s leaders.

Duterte defended what he said was an attempt to “break the ice” as he asked what was so special about the body of a woman that it should be exempted from teasing.

Despite their conflicting views, Robredo said she maintains a good working relationship with the President.

“What is good is that even if I’m very vocal about certain issues, he said he understands me and he does not take it against me,” she said.

The vice president noted some of the issues where she took a stand against the president’s position, such as the alleged extrajudicial killings of drug suspects, hero’s burial for then dictator Ferdinand Marcos and revival of the death penalty.

One time, the former Bicolana lawmaker raised concerns about the Philippines losing foreign aid for the president’s public statements, gently reminding him to be careful with his words because it could be taken as a state policy.

But Duterte responded to Robredo’s statements on the possible withdrawal of assistance from international agencies in the United States and European Union.