Robredo fumes over alleged ‘text message-invite’ for drug czar post

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Leni Robredo has fumed over a supposed text message inviting her to be the administration’s drug czar, urging officials to at least respect her office.

Robredo clarified on Tuesday that she did not receive any text on Monday night, contrary to claims by presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo.

“Dios ko naman. Unang una, wala akong natanggap. Saka kung seryoso, bakit ite-text? ‘Di ba?” she said after being asked by reporters in Iloilo City.

“Kahit walang paggalang sa akin, igalang na lang iyong posisyon. Kung ite-text ka ng isang bagay na ganiyan, hindi iyon seryoso. Kasi marami namang paraan para ipaabot sa akin kung talagang… talagang seryoso. Pero iyong sa akin lang, ano ba naman iyan,” she added.

(My God, first of all, I did not receive anything.  And if they are serious, why would they just text it?  If they have no respect for me, at least respect the position.  If they would inform you of delicate things like that through text messages, that means it’s not serious.  Because there are several ways to reach me if they are really serious.)

Panelo earlier told reporters that he messaged Robredo in Bicolano regarding the offer made by President Rodrigo Duterte.  Duterte on Monday said he is willing to let Robredo handle the anti-drug affairs of the government, after the latter criticized the government’s bloody war on drugs.

“I said, this is in Bicolano, we’re both from Bicol. Translated. There is an offer for you from the President to be  the drug czar for six months. Do you accept? That’s exactly my text message to her,” Panelo said.

Robredo, however, refused to comment further on whether she would accept the supposed offer, saying that she has learned from previous instances where she would be invited, only to get snubbed at the last moment.

“Again, I don’t want to comment until it is not there, because there have been several invitations in the past that were rescinded.  I have learned, there are several times in the past that they have said something that they did not mean,” she explained.

“So, let’s just wait for it, it is hard to comment on things that have not yet occurred,” she added.

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

READ: Duterte dares Robredo: Lead drug war

Robredo recently drew flak from administration supporters for allegedly telling members of a foreign media that the drug war has to be stopped.  However, she noted that what she merely asked for was a reassessment of the drug war, as the death toll and the number of drug dependents increase.

Numbers from authorities last July place the number of slain drug suspects at 5,526, but critics say the number could be even higher.

READ: Robredo: I said reassess – not stop – drug war

Robredo previously held the post of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council chair, although she eventually quit her position. /jpv