President Duterte as anti – drug czar of BBM admin? It’s all up to him, says Palace exec

MANILA, Philippines — It’s all up to President Rodrigo Duterte should he be invited to serve as anti-drug czar of the incoming administration of President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Palace said Friday.

Acting deputy presidential spokesperson Kristian Ablan said that while the decision is up to Duterte, many believe the outgoing President is looking forward to his retirement.

“Pagdating dyan, there is no legal impediment for a former president to assume an executive position in the executive branch. Now whether tatanggapin yan ni President Duterte, nasa kanya po ‘yan,” Ablan said in a press briefing.

(When it comes to that, there is no legal impediment for a former president to assume an executive position in the executive branch.  Now whether President Duterte will accept that is up to him.)

“Sa pagkakaalam namin, the President is looking forward to his retirement pero welcome po yang balita na ‘yan dahil si President na mismo ang nagsabi na kailangan pa rin tuloy-tuloy ang laban sa droga,” he added.

(From what we know, the President is looking forward to his retirement but it is welcome news since the President himself has said that we need to continue our fight against drugs.)

On Thursday, Marcos Jr. said he is “open” to making Duterte the anti-drug czar under his administration.

According to Marcos Jr., Duterte told him to continue his controversial war against illegal drugs. 

Marcos Jr. said he and Duterte had several meetings even before the May 9, 2022 elections.

In the meetings, Duterte, according to Marcos Jr., said he can combat the country’s drug problem “in his own way” as long as it is continued.

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