MANILA - Vice President apparent Leni Robredo said she fully respects incoming president Rodrigo Duterte's decision to pick his closest allies to the Cabinet.

"Naiintindihan natin kasi prerogative naman niya kung sino iyung ia-appoint niya sa Gabinete. Siyempre, kahit sinong Presidente, i-a-appoint niya iyung buo iyung kanyang tiwala, buo ang kanyang paniniwala sa kakayahan nito," Robredo said Monday.

Robredo, who comes from a different party from Duterte, said she understands that Duterte is prioritizing his trusted allies to top Executive posts.

She stressed that Duterte is not obligated to give her a post in the Cabinet, nor is she entitled to ask for one. But, she also maintained that she is ready for any appointment Duterte may give.

"Handa naman tayo kung bibigyan, hindi bibigyan, ano iyung ibibigay. From the very start naman, naiintindihan natin na wala naman akong karapatan mag-demand ng anything, wala nga akong karapatang mag-expect ng anything," she said.

"Kung bibigyan, salamat. Kung hindi naman, magko-concentrate tayo sa pagiging pangalawang Pangulo," she added.

On Saturday, Duterte said he has not considered appointing Robredo to a Cabinet position yet, "because I’m more worried where I would place the friends na nagkautang ako ng loob."

READ: Duterte says no cabinet post yet for Robredo

Duterte spokesman Peter Laviña earlier said Robredo "will not be a flower vase'' in the incoming government.

Duterte and Robredo are set to be proclaimed winners of the May 9 elections on Monday.

Robredo has confirmed her attendance at the proclamation. She arrived in Cubao, Quezon City Monday after a long bus ride from her hometown in Naga, Camarines Sur.

Duterte, on the other hand, has announced that he will skip the proclamation.

Robredo said she will just seek a meeting with Duterte in the next days, so that can assure him of her full support. She also stressed that harmonious ties between the country's two highest officials is important to unite the country after the divisive elections.

"Iyun naman ang pinakamahalaga, na nagkakasundo ang Pangulo at Pangalawang Pangulo...iyung maayos kasi naming samahan na dalawa, iyun din ang unang step na makaka-unite sa mga tao.

"Talagang maraming hindi magandang nangyari noong eleksyon, pero hindi kasi pwedeng tumagal dahil kapag tumagal ito, apektado ang buong bansa," she said. -- With a report from Francis Faulve, ABS-CBN News