QUEZON CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Quezon City Bureau) – In her most recent public statement, Vice President Leni Robredo said the government owes the public an explanation on the water crisis that hit parts of Metro Manila in recent weeks. And the local and foreign news media took her up on it.

Because President Rodrigo Duterte was a little indisposed yesterday, news reporters trooped to Robredo’s office in Quezon City to hear it directly from “the government.” After all, Robredo is the second highest official of the government.

Alas, the VP was a no-show.

Upon being tipped that the news reporters were on their way to the VP office,  Robredo took off via a back entrance.

Spokesperson Georgina Hernandez told The Adobo Chronicles that when the VP made the statement, she was referring to the Duterte administration of which she is an outsider.

Political analysts interpreted Hernandez’s explanation to mean that Robredo feels she is not the duly-elected VP since the electoral protest filed by her rival Senator Bongbong Marcos has not yet been fully resolved.

Many will recall that sometime last year, Robredo also issued a public statement saying that “the government” can no longer downplay the rising inflation rate in the country.”

A pattern akin to Julius Caesar washing his hands in public to escape responsibility.