Lacson thinks Robredo on the right track as ICAD co-chair

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo is so far on the right track in pursuing her role as the co-chair of the Inter-agency Committee on Anti-illegal Drugs (ICAD), former chief of Philippine National Police (PNP) and Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said Thursday.

“Right now, sa tingin ko ha, mukhang tama yung direksyon niya e. Kasi sinimulan niya ng pakikipagkonsulta doon sa mga dapat konsultahin, excluding myself ha. I’m not saying that because she consulted me,” Lacson said during the Kapihan sa Senado forum.

(Right now, I think she is on the right track because she started by consulting those who are needed to be consulted, excluding myself. I’m not saying that just because she consulted me.)

Lacson and Robredo had previously met to discuss what she can do in her new role as ICAD co-chair.

READ: Lacson to Robredo: Cut drug supply, watch your back

“Pero yung consultation with US DEA [drug enforcement agency], consultation with other groups at saka mineet niya kaagad yung ICAD members, consultation din ‘yun e. Kaya so far, tama naman siguro yung ginagawa niya,” Lacson said.

(But her consultation with the US DEA [drug enforcement agency], consultation with other groups and meeting with ICAD members which can be considered as consultation, so far what she is doing seems right.)

READ: Robredo, US execs explore collaboration in drug war

Lacson said this amid his concerns on a possible “formula for failure” given that President Rodrigo Duterte expressed distrust on the Vice President.

“Guaranteed formula for failure kasi basic yan sa leadership. Ito yung napagaralan namin. Responsibility without authority or commensurate authority, ano yun, formula for failure yun,” Lacson said.

(That’s a guaranteed formula for failure, that’s basic in leadership. This is what we have studied. Responsibility without authority or commensurate authority is a formula for failure.)

“We will not succeed kasi binigyan ka ng malaking responsibility, wala kang authority, paano mo irereconcile yung gagawin mo?” he added.

(We will not succeed because you were given a big responsibility yet you don’t have authority. How do you reconcile what you plan to do?)

Duterte may possibly want Robredo to leave her post when the President said he does not trust her, Lacson earlier subtly suggested.

READ: Duterte can’t trust Robredo? ‘Obviously, he wants her out’ – Lacson

Despite not trusting Robredo, Duterte said he would not fire Robredo but will not make her a Cabinet member so as not to jeopardize state secrets.

READ: Duterte says he cannot trust Robredo

Edited by JE