MANILA, Philippines — “My belief is that we public officials, we have no space for our ego, no space for emotion, no space for being onion-skinned, because we might not be able to effectively fulfill our work.”
This was what all Vice President Leni Robredo could say amid fresh waves of criticisms and insults being hurled her way by President Rodrigo Duterte and his supporters.
In an ambush interview in Iloilo on Tuesday, Robredo, who has been vocal about her views on the Duterte administration’s programs, said she would rather deal with the country’s problems that need firm attention and solution than address issues that merely derail her focus.
READ: Robredo refuses to answer Duterte’s dare: I don’t know if he is serious
Over the years, she said, she has learned to cope with Duterte’s rants.
“From the very start, I have been on the receiving end of various insults from the President. But for me, because of the immense amount of work to do, I need to learn how to focus on the important things,” she noted.
“I cannot be distracted from the work that I am doing, because I only have three years left in my term. There are so many important things that need our attention,” she added.
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday dared Robredo to take over his law enforcement functions as he again lashed at the Vice President for criticizing anew his war on drugs.
However, instead of engaging Duterte head-on, Robredo implied that her criticisms were a way of helping the government.
“Maybe a reminder not only for the President but for all of us public servants, we have a lot of problems, let us not use anger, making insults, because these would not help,” she said when asked if she has a message for the President.
“Why don’t we just help each other to find a way for everyone’s betterment? Because if we do not accept criticism, if we do not accept others’ help, then we cannot find a way to work better,” she added.
READ: Duterte to ‘surrender’ power to Robredo to enforce law for six months
READ: Duterte dares Robredo: Lead drug war
Previously, Robredo also drew flak from Duterte over her comments that run counter with the President’s view about policemen receiving gifts.
READ: Duterte rebukes Robredo for disputing him on ‘gift’ policy for cops
Robredo was once designated by Duterte to lead the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council. But she eventually decided to leave her Cabinet post.
Among other Duterte administration policies that Robredo – an opposition leader – criticized were the government’s stance on the West Philippine Sea issue and the country’s preference of China over other allies. /kga
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