Outgoing Vice President Leni Robredo on Wednesday bade farewell to her staff, security personnel and supporters on her last day at the Quezon City Reception House in New Manila.
Dressed in her signature campaign color pink, she boarded a black van as people outside her office of six years greeted her with applause and her security staff gave her a snappy salute.
Her official portrait was placed beside the other portraits of past vice presidents.
Aika Robredo, the Vice President’s eldest daughter, posted photographs of their family during her first and last day in office.
In a news conference, Robredo said she was able to bring out volunteerism among her supporters during her COVID-19 response efforts, and to be part of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs.
She vowed to pursue health and education projects for her Angat Buhay program, citing some of the artworks and other crafts from her supporters would be auctioned to fund the program.
Incoming Vice President Sara Duterte will hold office at the Quezon City Reception House. Robredo’s term ends on June 30 at 12 noon.
Earlier, Robredo passed the leadership of the opposition to Sen. Risa Hontiveros.
Hontiveros, who ran for reelection in the May 9 elections under the Akbayan party, is now the highest elected official from the opposition, Robredo said, when she administered the lawmaker’s oath of office, ABS-CBN News reported.
“When we learned of the election result, I texted Senator Risa. I told her, ‘You are now our leader, so please know we have your back. We will help whenever you need us,” Robredo said.
Hontiveros said she would continue her advocacies at the Senate, including efforts on COVID-19 response and other health initiatives, ABS-CBN further reported.
“We will help spur economic growth and restore healthcare services disrupted by the pandemic. As promised, we will facilitate an increase of budgets for agencies integral to our recovery initiatives. Our advocacy continues for healthy life and livelihood,” she said.
