Vice President Leni Robredo is hoping that President Rodrigo Duterte will "change for the better," amid fears that his recent tirades will affect international aid.

"Sana mag-improve siya for the better kasi tayo naman hindi tayo nabubuhay na parang isla [I hope he improves for the better because we don't live like an island], Robredo told reporters Wednesday at the Partnerships Against Poverty Summit.

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Robredo said since Philippines relies on other countries' help, it is important to maintain good ties with the international community.

"Marami tayong inaasahan na tulong galing sa kanila and bawat insidente na puwede magdulot ng strain sa relations nakakabahala, [We are expecting a lot of help from them and any incident that could strain relations is worrisome]," she said.

"Nandoon ang pangamba dahil sa atin naman napakahalaga ng good relations natin with the international community [It makes us anxious because we value our relations with the international community]," Robredo said.

Robredo however remains hopeful that tensions will no longer escalate.

"I am one with everyone also wishing na sana hindi lumala ang sitwasyon [that the situation would not worsen]," she added.

Robredo said she recently met some ambassadors "for courtesy visits" and "all of them...signified their commitment to help."

Duterte on Tuesday took another jab at United States President Barack Obama, this time telling the leader of the Western superpower to “go to hell.”

Duterte earlier lambasted the US and the European Union for criticizing his war on drugs, and said that he is no longer impressed with the world’s most powerful country.

“Instead of helping us, ang unang tumira itong State Department. So you can go to hell. Mister Obama, you can go to hell. EU (European Union), better choose purgatory,” Duterte said in a speech delivered in Makati.

[Instead of helping us, it was the State Department who hit me. So you can go to hell. Mister Obama, you can go to hell. EU, better choose purgatory.]

Duterte earlier made headlines after he issued expletives prior to his scheduled meeting with Obama at the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Laos last month. This prompted the White House to cancel the two leaders' meeting.

• READ: Duterte to Obama: Go to hell