Duterte to ‘surrender’ power to Robredo to enforce law for six months

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said he would give to Vice President Leni Robredo his power to enforce the law for six months.

“The opposition, they always hanker on to sasakyan nilang… Kagaya ni Robredo. Sige lang siya human rights-human rights. As a matter of fact, I am sending a letter to her through Secretary Mediadea,” Duterte said during the appointment of newly-appointed government officials in Malacañang.

(The opposition, they always hanker on to riding on issues. Like Robredo, she is very persistent about human rights. As a matter of fact, I am sending a letter to her through Secretary Mediadea).

“I will surrender my powers to enforce the law, ibigay ko sa Vice President. Ibigay ko sa kanya mga six months. Siya ang magdala. Tignan natin kung ano ang mangyari. Hindi ako makialam. Sige gusto mo? Mas bright ka? Sige. Ikaw. Subukan mo. Madali kasi mag… I’ve been 21 mayors, hindi mo na ako maloko ng ganoon,” he added.

(I will surrender my powers to enforce the law, I’ll hand it over to the Vice President. I’ll give it to her for six months. Let her take over. And let’s see. I won’t interfere. You want that? Are you smart enough? Okay. You try it. I’ve been a mayor for so long and nobody can fool me that easily.)

Duterte’s remarks came after Robredo said the government’s brutal drug war, which killed at least 5,000 mostly poor Filipinos, is a failure.

Drug czar

But in an ambush interview, Duterte contradicted himself and said he would “not surrender anything” to Robredo.

“I said if she wants, I can commission her to be the drug czar,” he said.

“Ngayon mas marunong ka man sa akin I’ll hand in to you full powers sa drugs. I’ll give you six months. Tignan natin kung kaya mo,” he added.

(Now, you are smarter than me, I’ll hand over to you full powers against drugs. I’ll give you six months, let’s see if you can do it).

The President said he is ready to concede to Robredo powers to handle the government’s anti-drug war.

“Sinabi ko sa kanya I’m ready to give you to concede to you powers that would cover all drug – anti-drug activities by the government,” he said.

(I told her I’m ready to concede to you powers that would cover all anti-drug activities of the government).

“I’ll give her a clean slate para malaman niya kung gaano kadali mag-kontrol ng droga,” he added.

(I’ll give her a clean slate for her to know how easy is it to control drugs).

Robredo earlier said the government’s drug war is a failure, saying the number of drug addicts continue to rise.

But Duterte said he won’t stop Robredo from making comments against his anti-narcotics campaign.

“No, because this a democracy. Nobody but nobody can order anybody to shut up,” he said.

“Gusto ko lang malaman kung kaya niya. Marami kasing sinasalita, i-redirect o anong pinagsasabi niya sa labas. Do it here. Six months,” he added.

(I just want to know if she can. She talks too much. Do it here. Six months).

Duterte said he could make the offer to Robredo immediately.

“Anytime. Gusto niya ngayon, tawagan mo siya. I can talk to her tonight and I will order tomorrow everybody should follow her in the matter of a drug issue. Siya na,” he said.

(Anytime. If she wants it now, then call her. I can talk to her tonight and I will order tomorrow everybody should follow her in the matter of a drug issue. Go ahead).