MANILA - Vice President Leni Robredo said her impression of President Rodrigo Duterte has changed ever since they first met last Friday.
"'Yung na-meet ko on Friday saka kanina, malayo na doon sa dati kong nakikita sa TV. Malayo doon sa preconceived notions ko about him. Kasi 'yung dati parang sound and fury eh, nagmumura, madaling magalit, pinapagalitan 'yung kung sinong nakaka-get his ire. Pero, Friday, kanina, ibang iba. He was very respectful, malumanay magsalita, mina-Ma'am pa nga ako," Robredo told ANC.
She also shared that Duterte went out of his way to escort her outside of Malacañang after their meeting.
"Gaya noong sabi ko, he did not just walk me out the door of his office pero talagang bumaba sa stairs. Malayo 'yun, malayo 'yung private office niya papunta sa labas. Pero hinatid niya ako hanggang sa labas," Robredo said.
According to Robredo, she expected the worst before meeting Duterte because of what she has seen on television and interviews.
"Never ko pa siyang na-meet. Siyempre may nakakarating sa akin na allegedly sinabi niya, hindi naman natin alam kung sinasabi niya talaga.
"Ako naman I was expecting for the worst eh. Baka hindi niya ako pansinin, 'yung mga ganun. Parang I was prepared for the worst," she added.
She added that she felt relieved when Duterte treated her nicely during their first meeting.
"Ako kasi parang I was overwhelmed with relief. 'Yung feeling ko noon, kasi parang I haven't met him at all before," Robredo said.
"Parang 'yung sa akin, parang nabunutan ako ng maraming tinik. Kasi parang mas magaan 'yung trabaho 'pag parang walang balakid sa aming dalawa," she added.
During their Monday meeting, Robredo said they talked about her late husband, former Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, who was his acquaintance.
"Parang mas friendly ngayon. 'Yun nga, pinag-usapan namin 'yung friendship niya with my husband. Kinuwento ko sa kanya na nakukwento din siya parati nung asawa ko before kasi naging mayor sila at the same time."
"Basically 'yung kwento namin ano 'yung adjustment namin to our lives now. Parang pareho kami hindi ito pinlano pero dumating sa amin, so talagang 'yung adjustment malaki," Robredo added.