Duterte admin wants to give Robredo hard time as drug czar – LP exec

MANILA, Philippines — The administration of President Rodrigo Duterte wants to give Vice President Robredo a hard time so she would fail as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD).

This was the observation of Erin Tañada, Liberal Party (LP) Vice President for External Affairs, as he noted that based on the remarks of President Rodrigo and his allies, it is clear that the Duterte government does not want Robredo to succeed in her duty to lead the campaign against illegal drugs.

Tañada also said it is clear that Malacañang is only looking for an excuse for the Duterte administration’s “failed” war on drugs “and they want to pin the blame” on Robredo, a stalwart of the political opposition LP.

“This government wants to give VP Leni a hard time so that she would fail in her campaign against illegal drugs,” he said in a statement.

“But they are mistaken because VP Leni is determined to perform her duty despite the government’s bullying and bullheadedness,” he added.

Nearly a month after appointing Robredo as co-chair of ICAD, Duterte announced he does not trust the Vice President.

He chided Robredo for wanting to speak with international bodies to discuss the drug war “right after she was appointed.” This, he said, was the reason why he decided not to give Robredo a Cabinet rank and be part of his official family.

Earlier, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Aaron Aquino questioned why Robredo wanted to have the list of high-value targets in the drug war, saying that it is not included in their mandate as co-chairpersons of ICAD.

He later said that while he would not give the list to Robredo, he would present it to her in a closed-door meeting, expressing fears on who else would have access to the list that might compromise law enforcement operations.

Edited by KGA