Andanar: Inviting Leni to Vin d’honneur may be ‘awkward’

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin Andanar on Thursday defended anew Malacañang’s move to retract its Vin d’honneur invite to Vice President Leni Robredo.

Andanar maintained that the decision to disinvite Robredo from the annual New Year’s toast was President Rodrigo Duterte’s prerogative.

“It's his [Duterte’s] house and just like any homeowner kung hindi mo naman kasundo ang iyong i-invite why would you invite? Sabi ko nga kanina sa interview, awkward ‘di ba?,” Andanar said in a recorded interview.

AWKWARD: @martinandanar defends Palace move not to invite VP Robredo during Vin D' Honneur pic.twitter.com/MWHXIBnLe6

— christina mendez (@xtinamen) January 12, 2017

Andanar was reacting to Robredo’s comment that she does not want to make the issue on the invite a big deal.

However, she sought for respect for the Office of the Vice President citing the manner on how the invite was retracted via text message.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella reiterated that the Palace withdrew its invitation to Robredo since the guests were limited. He said Duterte restricted the number of guests as part of his dictum of simplicity. 

RELATED: Palace: Vin d’honneur guest list limited for simplicity