Robredo might not work well with IATF members⁠—Bong Go

Photo from the Office of Sen. Bong Go

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo might clash with members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) if she is appointed as head of the COVID-19 task force, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said on Saturday.

Go also feared that Robredo’s fate as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD), where she was fired, could be repeated.

“Alam naman nating it (IATF) is composed of people and secretaries under the President so mahirap naman po mangyari yung nakaraang yung sa (anti-) drug (committee), yung inappoint po siya, kung di sila magkasundo. Sayang naman yung kanilang panahon,” Go said over DWIZ when asked about his reaction on former senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s dare to Malacañang to let Robredo lead the IATF.

(We know that the IATF is composed of people and secretaries under the President so it is difficult if the incident during her appointment as anti-drug committee happens again and she might not get along with them. It could be a waste of time.)

“Mahirap namang i-mix mo kung iba ang kanilang direksyon. Hindi makakatulong sa Pilipino,” the senator, former President’s aide, added.

(It is difficult to mix them if they have different directions. This won’t help Filipinos.)

To recall, President Rodrigo Duterte fired Robredo from her post in ICAD due to lack of trust.

Go also said it is better for Robredo to continue her current efforts in helping Filipinos who continue to bear the brunt of the COVID-19 crisis.

“Mas makakatulong si VP Leni sa kanyang kasulukuyang ginagawa rather than mamuno sa IATF kasi alam naman nating it is composed of the President’s men and women sa kanyang executive department po,” he said.

(It is more helpful for Robredo to continue her current efforts rather than leading the IATF because we know that it is composed of the President’s men and women in the executive department.)

Go also criticized Trillanes, saying Malacañang will not follow his dare to let Robredo lead the IATF.

“Hindi po uto-uto ang Malacañang (Malacañang is not a fool),” he stressed.

As the coronavirus disease threat continues to take a blow in the country, Robredo has started campaigns and donation drives to help medical workers and other essential workers.

For instance, the Office of the Vice President donated personal protective equipment, dormitories and free shuttle services for workers.

Robredo also began her project to look for laptops and other educational materials to assist students and teachers for distance learning.