MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Philippines Vice President Leni Robredo is not one to shy away from any challenge, especially if the result will boost her standing as a potential successor to Rodrigo Duterte.

Robredo is always critical of the Duterte administration’s moves and policies, including those related to the country’s quest for Covid-19 vaccines which has been shaky at best.

Last night, Duterte challenged the VP to go procure vaccines for the Filipinos, saying “Kunin mo basket mo, mamalengke ka sa labas ng bakuna. Bigyan kita ng pera.” (Get your basket, go to the market to buy vaccines. I’ll give you money.)

So this morning, Robredo, with her Louis Vuitton handbag filled with pesos, took the first available flight out to the United States to do just that — buy vaccines from the West.

A spokesperson for the Office of the Vice President told The Adobo Chronicles that Robredo hopes to come back with millions of doses of the Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson vaccines. She also intends to make a side trip to the United Kingdom in the hope of procuring more doses of AstraZeneca.