MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Following the lead of Japanese Emperor Akihito, Leni Robredo has announced she will formally abdicate the Philippine Vice Presidency as well as the leadership of the Opposition Liberal Party.

(Akihito handed over the symbols of power to his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito on Tuesday. The 85-year-old  Emperor who reigned for 30 years was given permission to abdicate after saying he felt unable to fulfil his role because of his age and declining health.He is the first Japanese monarch to step down in more than 200 years.)

In a statement issued to local and international news media, Robredo said that she feels she is no longer effective as Vice President or leader of her party given the fact that the popularity of President Rodrigo Duterte has reached and continues to maintain unprecedented levels.

Robredo says her abdication is effective immediately, coming within less than two weeks before her country’s mid-term elections where the Opposition Party’s candidate slate is expected to do very poorly.

“It’s time for our people to heal and I don’t want to be an obstacle to that healing. Rather than do a ‘harakiri,’ I have chosen to step down and abdicate,” Robredo said.