Senators rally support for Robredo; laud her for accepting anti-drug post

MANILA, Philippines — Senators on Wednesday rallied support for Vice President Leni Robredo as they lauded her for accepting the position as co-chairperson of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD).

“Very good move. She can start by concentrating on Prevention and Rehabilitation. I’m willing to give her some ideas that have worked before,” Senate President Vicente Sotto III told reporters in a message on Wednesday.

READ: BREAKING: Robredo accepts Duterte’s drug czar post appointment

Meanwhile, former top cop and now Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said he was happy that Robredo accepted Duterte’s offer.

“Yung pagtanggap niya, I’m so happy, at least willing siyang tutulong sa ating war on drugs at dapat lang talaga, tatanggapin niya yon dahil yung problema ng droga…this is not only the problem of President Duterte,” Dela Rosa said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel.

“We need a whole of nation approach para masawata itong problema sa droga kaya tama lang na tumulong siya. I’m very optimistic, itong pagtanggap niya,” he added.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, meanwhile, said he is willing to “humbly share whatever modest law enforcement experience I gained in my previous life.”

“Kudos to VP Robredo. I take my hat off to her for accepting the daunting challenge,” Lacson, a former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said in a statement.

“We should all give her the support she needs to contribute her share in battling this pestering problem of illegal drugs that destroys lives, families and the youth to whom we will bequeath the future of our beloved country,” he added.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon meanwhile expressed confidence that the Vice President “can carry out the task.”

“Being the leader of the opposition, Vice President Robredo will continue to fiscalize. But in instances such as this, when she is called upon to do her share, she will not shirk from this challenge,” he said in a statement.

“This is an enormous task. The problems on illegal drugs continue to infect the society and ruin lives and families. I call on the Filipino people and government instrumentalities involved in the campaign against illegal drugs to rally behind the Vice President. Her success is the success of our nation,” he added.

For Senator Risa Hontiveros, she said Robredo’s acceptance of the post shows that she is ready to lead and provide better solutions to address the country’s drug problem.

“I firmly believe that if Vice President Robredo is provided all the necessary powers and resources and given the full liberty to implement a public health approach coupled with a rights-based law enforcement strategy, she can do a much better job in responding to the drug problem,” she said.

She also urged the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Justice (DOJ) and all relevant agencies “to fully support the Vice President and follow her lead.”

Senator Sonny Angara, who was “surprised with her change of heart,” said he hopes that Robredo “succeeds in helping solve the menace of drugs which destroys lives and communities.”

“If she meets with success in her new role it will be good for the country and the administration, which delegated the job to her,” he added.

For his part, Senator Francis Tolentino said: “Now that she is a part of the antidrug campaign as an insider, we hope she would acquire the right historical perspective.”

“Seeing the magnitude of the problem as well as accepting that the policy choices made by the President were done for the good of the country,” he added.  /muf