Duterte’s firing of Robredo as ICAD co-chair ‘no longer a shocker’ – Zarate

MANILA, Philippines — The sacking of Vice President Leni Robredo as co-chair of the Inter-agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) was “no longer a shocker,” a Bayan Muna party-list lawmaker said Monday.

House Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said the firing of Robredo was “bound to happen” because she posed a threat to the government’s “fake” campaign against illegal drugs.

“Her continued stay will only further unmask the fact that the drug problem is still worsening, with supplies coming mostly from China, the drug lords, as well as ninja generals and cops, are still enjoying their brisk business protected by those in position and power,” Zarate said in a statement.

“She created a tectonic shake and apparently cause many people to panic, that’s why she was given the quibolic command: STOP NA!” he added.

Malacañang earlier dismissed as “nonsense” speculations that Robredo was fired because the President fears she will succeed and gain headway in the 2022 presidential elections.

READ: Duterte threatened by Robredo’s success as drug czar? Nonsense, Panelo says

“That’s nonsense if the President had that in mind then he would have not appointed her in the first place,” Duterte’s spokesman, Salvador Panelo said in a separate interview.

“Remember…I was even saying, ‘effectively you are being a ladder to the presidency.’ That’s precisely I was asking her, ‘accept it! This is your chance to do it.’,” he added.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Sunday evening confirmed that President Rodrigo Duterte has fired Robredo as co-chair of ICAD.

READ: Duterte fires Robredo from ICAD

Panelo said that it was the President’s response to the “taunt and dare” of the opposition to just remove Robredo from ICAD due to distrust.

READ: Fire Leni Robredo instead of insulting her – Pangilinan

Duterte appointed Robredo to the post on October 31. Robredo accepted her appointment on November 6, thus, only able to serve as an ICAD co-chair for 18 days.

Edited by KGA

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