President Rodrigo R. Duterte, being the country’s chief executive, knows the qualities a person should possess to lead the country, Malacañang said Wednesday to defend his recent statement that Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo is not qualified to be his successor.

“Dahil siya ay naging president, alam niya ‘yung mga kakayahan na kinakailangan para maging president (Since he’s the President, he knows what it takes to be the president),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a virtual presser.

Robredo, an opposition leader, on Tuesday said the decision whether she is fit or not to be the next president lies in the hands of the voting public, not Duterte.

Roque, however, said Duterte is part of Filipino voters who will choose the country’s next president in 2022.

“Tama po ‘yan. ‘Yan ay desisyon ng taumbayan pero kabahagi po ng taumbayan ay ang Presidente na siya ay boboto rin. (That’s right that the decision will come from the people, but the President is among them. He would also cast his vote),” Roque said.

In a public address delivered Monday night, Duterte slammed Robredo for criticizing his decision to demand compensation from the United States (US) for him to reconsider his decision to revoke the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

Duterte advised Robredo to take a “refresher course” in law and believed the Vice President is unfit to be his successor.

Roque said Duterte’s assessment of Robredo has a bearing on choosing the next president.

“At ang kanya naging assessment na sumatutal hindi po angkop na maging presidente ang ating Bise Presidente (His assessment is the Vice President is not qualified to be the next president),” he said.

Robredo has yet to announce her political plans for 2022.

On Feb. 3, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said it is “obvious” that Robredo wants to succeed Duterte when the Chief Executive steps down from office next year.

Panelo said Robredo is trying to be “politically relevant” because of the supposed plan to run for president in the 2022 national and local elections. (PNA)