Binay, Robredo aides prepare for transition

MANILA, Philippines - Representatives from the office of Vice President Jejomar Binay will meet with representatives of vice president-elect Leni Robredo today to ensure a smooth transition before June 30.

“I am meeting their transition team tomorrow for preliminary talks,” Binay’s chief of staff and Office of the Vice President Undersecretary Benjamin Martinez told The STAR.

Martinez said he was not yet informed who would be Robredo’s representatives at the meeting.

The meeting will be held at the Coconut Palace in Pasay City, where Binay has held office for six years.

“Preliminary talks only. No formal agenda. Getting to know,” Martinez said when asked about the topics to be discussed.

He said formal turnover of transition report would follow in the coming weeks.

Asked if they plan to recommend the continuation of important projects started by Binay, Martinez said, “Current projects will really be dependent on VP Leni’s future plans. We don’t want to preempt and impose on her.”

Meanwhile, Martinez said they have started packing Binay’s things at the Coconut Palace.

“We have little by little started fixing his things, although it is still one month before June 30,” he said.

Binay ran and lost in the May 9 presidential elections.

Liberal Party’s Robredo won against Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., son and namesake of the late strongman, in the vice presidential race by 263,473 votes.

Robredo, in a previous interview, said she finds rent at the Coconut Palace “too expensive.”

She said she would find a cheaper office space once she assumes office.

The outgoing Camarines Sur representative said she wants to establish satellite offices in the provinces to push her advocacy for rural development.