Are you ready for me? Robredo tells gov’t execs after accepting anti-drug post
MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Leni Robredo shunned speculation she’s not prepared to handle affairs of the drug war, asking government officials instead if they are ready for her.
Robredo, who accepted the offer of President Rodrigo Duterte to co-chair the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD), reminded authorities that the campaign against illegal drugs should be taken seriously.
“Hindi laro-laro ang usapang ito. Seryosong usapan kapag buhay ang nakataya. Tinatanong nila ako kung handa ba ako para sa trabahong ito,” she said during a press conference on Wednesday.
(This issue is not a game. It is serious because lives are at stake. They are asking me if I am ready for this task).
“Ang tanong ko: handa ba kayo para sa akin?” she asked.
(I am asking them, are you ready for me?)
The Vice President also addressed Duterte, again assuring that she is ready to help government in ending the drug menace. However, she reminded the administration that this acceptance does not equate to her being silent on issues.
“Alam ng Pangulo kung ano ang posisyon ko sa drug war: tutol ako sa pagpatay ng mga inosente, kontra ako sa pang-aabuso ng mga opisyal. Alam niya ang aking mga puna. Alam niya ang mga balak kong ayusin,” Robredo said. “Kaya kung iniisip niya na sa pagpayag na ito ay tatahimik ako, nagkakamali siya.”
(The President is aware of my position on the drug war. I am against the killing of innocents, against the abuse of officials. He knows of my criticisms. He knows of my plans. So if he thinks that I am already in agreement and that I will be silent, they are mistaken).
“Mr. President, dalawa’t kalahating taon na lang ang naiiwan sa iyong administrasyon. Hindi pa naman huli ang lahat. Puwede pa nating pagtulungan ito,” she added.
(Mr. President, there are only two and a half years remaining in your administration. It is not yet too late. We can still work on this together.)
READ: BREAKING: Robredo accepts Duterte’s drug czar post appointment
Robredo’s capability to lead the drug war was doubted after Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron Aquino — whom she would share the ICAD post with — said that she would fail because she has no experience in tackling the drug problem.
This led to Robredo’s camp to doubt whether the administration is really serious in giving her the post.
READ: PDEA chief thinks Robredo ‘will fail’ as drug czar
Earlier, Robredo noted that one of the things she had considered in accepting the position was the chance to save innocent lives, as the drug war, according to official numbers from the government, has already claimed over 5,500 lives since Duterte’s ascent to office.
Critics and human rights groups believe that the actual death toll, including those who died from vigilante-style killings, could be from 11,000 to 30,000.
“Pero sa dulo, ang pinakamahalagang konsiderasyon para sa akin ay simple lang, kung ito ang pagkakataon para matigil ang patayan ng mga inosente at mapanagot ang mga kailangnang managot, papasanin ko ito,” Robredo explained.
(In the end, the most important consideration for me is to stop the killings of the innocent and make those behind the killings liable.)
“Kaya tinatanggap ko ang trabaho na binibigay sa akin ng Pangulo,” she added.
(That is why I am accepting this job being offered to me by the President).
READ: BREAKING: Duterte appoints Robredo co-chair of gov’t committee vs illegal drugs
Previously, Duterte invited for Robredo to handle the government’s anti-drug operations, after the latter criticized the controversial program. Robredo however insisted that she was only asking for a reassessment.
Several days passed before Robredo gave her answer to Duterte’s dare, as her camp doubted the seriousness of the offer. Even her allies from the opposition bloc said that it could be a trap set for her to fail.
READ: Duterte dares Robredo: Lead drug war
READ: Duterte to ‘surrender’ power to Robredo to enforce law for six months
READ: Duterte move hit: Robredo ‘being set up to fail’
