De Lima: Duterte wants to shame Robredo, other drug war critics

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Leila De Lima thinks that the reason President Rodrigo Duterte is offering Vice President Leni Robredo the position of “drug czar” is to “shame her and all his other critics of his failed drug war.”

In a statement released on Saturday, De Lima that the President would also want to “create the narrative of putting all the blame of his failures to someone else, instead of admitting that he lied about winning the drug war, despite killing thousands of people.”

“Duterte’s continuous dangling of the supposed ‘Drug Czar’ Cabinet post for VP Leni Robredo is both the saddest and stupidest things this administration has churned out lately,” De Lima said.

The senator’s reaction came after the President dared Robredo to lead the government’s campaign against drugs.

READ: Duterte dares Robredo: Lead drug war

Malacañang also said that the President would give Robredo a Cabinet position should she accept to be the administration’s drug czar.

READ: Duterte to give Robredo a Cabinet Secretary rank as drug czar

Robredo has been refusing to comment on Duterte’s offer. Meanwhile, her camp said that while she was always open to help eradicate the country’s drug problem, she could not stand being made a “scapegoat” for all the shortcomings of the drug war.

“Duterte and his mouthpiece, [presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo], know that the decorated drug czar post wouldn’t be effective in winning his drug war brand,” De Lima said.

“If it can, why didn’t he create such a post on his first days as President? Why create one now for VP Robredo, after three years of Tokhang and EJKs?” she added.

De Lima said she “pities” Duterte, saying “realization of your failures must have woken you up in cold sweat many times.”

“To shake it off, you resort to tactics as low as this; as reminiscing your supposedly run-and-gun glory days as Mayor while riding big motorcycles at the Malacañang grounds probably doesn’t calm you down. You must be agonizing,” she said.

The senator also advised Panelo to “be more worried about his boss’ physical and mental state, than mine.”

“I’m not the one who falls over big bikes, complains about ‘unbearable pain,’ and wears air purifiers around the neck. It’s just not my style, Sal,” she told Panelo.

RELATED

Robredo refuses to answer Duterte’s dare: I don’t know if he is serious

Robredo camp: Don’t make VP a scapegoat for ‘failed’ drug war