Barbers says Leni Robredo’s defiance cost her ICAD post

MANILA, Philippines — The reason Vice President Leni Robredo was sacked from her post as co-chair of the InterAgency Committee on Illegal Drugs (ICAD) was that her actions were not “in sync” with what the President wanted, a lawmaker said Monday.

Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairperson of House dangerous drugs committee, said on Monday that a presidential appointee should follow the directives of the President.

However, Leni Robredo showed defiance against the appointing power by consulting with different international bodies on the drug war.

“That I think showed that she is treading a different path from that of the President,” he said in a statement.

“Clearly, walang pupuntahan ang pagsasama nila kaya hangga’t maaga pa eh pinutol na (Clearly, it is going nowhere so while it was ended while it’s early),” he added.

Despite this, Barbers said he is still expecting the Vice President to “help in the campaign against illegal drugs and propose new strategies and plans she may have in mind.”

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

Panelo said that it was the President’s response to the dare of the opposition to fire her due to a lack of trust.

READ: Fire Leni Robredo instead of insulting her – Pangilinan

Robredo was appointed to the post last Nov. 6.

In a press conference in Naga, Camarines Sur, Robredo vowed that her dismissal from the anti-drug panel won’t dampen her determination to stop the killings in the name of the drug war.

“Kung sa tingin nila matatapos ito dito, hindi nila ako kilala. Nagsisimula pa lamang ako,” she said Monday.

READ: A day after being fired, Robredo asks: ‘Ano bang kinatatakutan ninyong malaman ko?’

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